The current communication reports the development of a single-stage biosystem for biohythane production from wastewater treatment. A semi-pilot scale bioreactor with 34 L capacity was used for this study. Maximum biohythane production of... more
The current communication reports the development of a single-stage biosystem for biohythane production from wastewater treatment. A semi-pilot scale bioreactor with 34 L capacity was used for this study. Maximum biohythane production of 147.5 ± 2.4 L was observed after five cycles of operation with production rate of 4.7 ± 0.1 L/h. The biohythane composition (H2/(H2 + CH4)) varied from 0.60 to 0.23 during stabilized fifth cycle of operation. During each cycle of operation, higher H2 fraction was noticed within 12 h of cycle period followed by CH4 production for rest of operation (36 h). During biohythane production, COD removal efficiency of 60 ± 5% (SDR, 29.0 ± 1.9 kg CODr/m3-day) was also achieved. The synergistic function of volatile fatty acids (VFA) production and consumption during process in hybrid biosystem played vital role on the composition of biohythane. The single-stage biosystem facilitates production of high valued and cost efficient biofuel (biohythane) with fewer controls than individual acidogenic and methanogenic processes.
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Canteen based composite food waste, which is rich in organic constituents was evaluated as anodic fuel (substrate) in single chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC; mediator less; noncatalyzed graphite electrodes; open-air cathode) to harness... more
Canteen based composite food waste, which is rich in organic constituents was evaluated as
anodic fuel (substrate) in single chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC; mediator less; noncatalyzed
graphite electrodes; open-air cathode) to harness electrical energy via anaerobic
treatment. The performance of MFC was evaluated with anaerobic consortia as anodic
biocatalyst under various increasing organic loading rates (OLR1, 1.01 kg COD/m3-day; OLR2,
1.74 kg COD/m3-day; OLR3, 2.61 kg COD/m3-day). The experimental results illustrated the
feasibility of bioelectricity generation from food waste along with treatment but depend on
the applied organic load. The maximum power output was observed at OLR2 (295 mV;
390 mA/m2), followed by OLR3 (250 mV; 311 mA/m2) and OLR1 (188 mV; 211 mA/m2). The
variation in substrate degradation has also showed a relation with organic load applied
(OLR1, 44.28% (0.47 kg COD/m3-day); OLR2, 64.83% (1.13 kg COD/m3-day); OLR3, 46.28%
(1.39 kg COD/m3-day)). The increase in loading from OLR1 to OLR2, the catalytic ability of
biocatalyst increased from 7.5 mA (24 h) to 11.22 mA (24 h) along with the increase in power
generation from 39.38 mW/m2 to 107.89 mW/m2. At the higher OLR (OLR3), the bioelectrocatalytic
current decreased to 5.3 mA (24 h) along with decrement in power to
78.92 mW/m2. The optimum organic load (OLR2) showed maximal catalytic activity and
power output. Fuel cell behavior with respect to polarization, anode potential and bioelectrochemical
behavior supported the higher performance of MFC at OLR2. Specific power
yield was also observed to be higher at OLR2 (0.320 W/kg CODR) indicating the combined
process efficiency. Volatile fatty acids generation and pH profiles also correlated well with
the observed results.
anodic fuel (substrate) in single chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC; mediator less; noncatalyzed
graphite electrodes; open-air cathode) to harness electrical energy via anaerobic
treatment. The performance of MFC was evaluated with anaerobic consortia as anodic
biocatalyst under various increasing organic loading rates (OLR1, 1.01 kg COD/m3-day; OLR2,
1.74 kg COD/m3-day; OLR3, 2.61 kg COD/m3-day). The experimental results illustrated the
feasibility of bioelectricity generation from food waste along with treatment but depend on
the applied organic load. The maximum power output was observed at OLR2 (295 mV;
390 mA/m2), followed by OLR3 (250 mV; 311 mA/m2) and OLR1 (188 mV; 211 mA/m2). The
variation in substrate degradation has also showed a relation with organic load applied
(OLR1, 44.28% (0.47 kg COD/m3-day); OLR2, 64.83% (1.13 kg COD/m3-day); OLR3, 46.28%
(1.39 kg COD/m3-day)). The increase in loading from OLR1 to OLR2, the catalytic ability of
biocatalyst increased from 7.5 mA (24 h) to 11.22 mA (24 h) along with the increase in power
generation from 39.38 mW/m2 to 107.89 mW/m2. At the higher OLR (OLR3), the bioelectrocatalytic
current decreased to 5.3 mA (24 h) along with decrement in power to
78.92 mW/m2. The optimum organic load (OLR2) showed maximal catalytic activity and
power output. Fuel cell behavior with respect to polarization, anode potential and bioelectrochemical
behavior supported the higher performance of MFC at OLR2. Specific power
yield was also observed to be higher at OLR2 (0.320 W/kg CODR) indicating the combined
process efficiency. Volatile fatty acids generation and pH profiles also correlated well with
the observed results.