Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7073163 | Bioresource Technology | 2016 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Two biocatalysts, namely carbohydrases and proteases, were assessed for organic matter solubilisation and methane yield enhancement of microalgae biomass. This study evidenced Chlorella vulgaris carbohydrate accumulation (40% on VSS basis) when grown in urban wastewater. Despite of the carbohydrate prevailing fraction, protease pretreatment showed higher organic matter hydrolysis efficiency (54%). Microscopic observation revealed that carbohydrases affected slightly the cell wall while protease was not selective to wall constituents. Raw and pretreated biomass was digested at 1.5 kg tCOD mâ3 dayâ1 organic loading rate (OLR1) and 20 days hydraulic retention time (HRT). The highest methane yield (137 mL CH4 g COD inâ1) was achieved in the reactor fed with protease pretreated C. vulgaris. Additionally, anaerobic digestion was conducted at OLR2 (3 kg tCOD mâ3 dayâ1) and HRT (15 days). When compared to raw biomass, methane yield increased 5- and 6.3-fold at OLR1 and OLR2, respectively. No inhibitors were detected during the anaerobic digestion.
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Authors
Ahmed Mahdy, Mercedes Ballesteros, Cristina González-Fernández,