Review
Engineering, Environmental
Anahita Rabii, Ehssan Hosseini Koupaie, Saad Aldin, Yaser Dahman, Elsayed Elbeshbishy
Summary: Anaerobic codigestion (AnCoD) has advantages over conventional anaerobic digestion, and efforts are being made to develop methods for improving its efficiency through pretreatment techniques. Different pretreatment methods, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, and hybrid, can influence AnCoD performance by increasing biodegradability, improving hydrolysis, reducing hydraulic retention time, and enhancing methane production. Among these methods, mechanical and biological pretreatment have the most and least application in codigestion, respectively. More research is needed on the application of biological pretreatment and cost-benefit analysis for different types of cosubstrates.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shifare Berhe, Seyoum Leta
Summary: The study evaluated the anaerobic co-digestion of tannery wastewater (TWW) with dairy wastewater (DWW) using a two-phase anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR). The addition of DWW improved the process efficiency, with increased biogas production and methane yield compared to mono-digestion of TWW. The two-phase anaerobic digestion process exhibited stable performance and high chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Raffaele Morello, Francesco Di Capua, Ludovico Pontoni, Stefano Papirio, Danilo Spasiano, Umberto Fratino, Francesco Pirozzi, Giovanni Esposito
Summary: The study found that applying microaerobic conditions during anaerobic digestion of low-biodegradable sewage sludge can accelerate the hydrolytic stage, increase methane production, and reduce sludge humification degree and volatile fatty acid accumulation.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hubert Prask, Malgorzata Fugol, Arkadiusz Dyjakon, Liliana Glab, Jozef Sowinski, Alena Whitaker
Summary: The research shows that blending high-fiber and low solid content sewage sludge with high-solid sorghum silage, sorghum pomace, and sorghum juice can improve the biogas generation process and increase biogas production. The mixture of sorghum juice and sewage sludge produces the highest amount of biogas and methane. Intelligent blending of alternative raw material with sewage sludge allows for similar biogas yields while maintaining a stable anaerobic digestion process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
A. Bokhary, M. Leitch, B. Q. Liao
Summary: This study examines the effect of organic loading rates (OLRs) on membrane performance and mixed-liquor suspended solids (MLSS) properties in a laboratory-scale thermophilic submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (ThSAnMBR) treating primary sludge. The study shows that OLR, HRT, and SRT are important factors impacting membrane performance and biogas production. The operating conditions also result in changes in membrane morphology and MLSS characteristics.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wai Lin Cheong, Yi Jing Chan, Timm Joyce Tiong, Woon Chan Chong, Worapon Kiatkittipong, Kunlanan Kiatkittipong, Mardawani Mohamad, Hanita Daud, I. Wayan Koko Suryawan, Mega Mutiara Sari, Jun Wei Lim
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a simulation model of anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and sewage sludge for biogas production. The results showed the optimal parameters for methane yield, COD removal efficiency, and VS removal efficiency. Economic analysis indicated that the study is feasible and economically viable.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Igor Bosevski, Andreja Zgajnar Gotvajn
Summary: The study found that ozonation of waste biological sludge contaminated with antibiotics can remove antibiotic-related inhibition of biogas production, increase biogas and methane yield, but does not lead to economically feasible increase in biogas production and methane yield.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Akanksha Vijay Agrawal, Parmesh Kumar Chaudhari, Prabir Ghosh
Summary: Treatment of organic waste, specifically fruit and vegetable waste (FVW), through anaerobic digestion has become increasingly important due to environmental regulations. Co-digestion of FVW and anaerobic sludge (AS) was investigated, and it was found that a mixing ratio of 25:75 (AS:FVW) resulted in the highest biogas and methane yields. Microwave treatment of the feedstock further improved solubilization and methane production. Kinetic modeling showed that the first-order model was a good fit for the experimental data. The rate constant for the optimal ratio with microwave pre-treatment was slightly higher than that for the untreated optimal ratio.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Juan F. Gonzalez, Ana I. Parralejo, Jeronimo Gozalez, Andres Alvarez, Eduardo Sabio
Summary: This study evaluated the biogas production and quality from four different biomasses in different batch reactors, revealing variations in methane yields from different biomasses and successfully applied various models to assess the kinetic parameters of methane production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lagudu S. Avinash, Anumita Mishra
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of moisture content on the anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste (MSW) with the addition of different moisture sources. It was found that adding sludge with leachate and wastewater resulted in higher biogas yields, with the addition of 10% sludge providing the best outcomes. The study also determined that the optimal moisture content for MSW degradation should be greater than 75% of field capacity.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaoshuang Zou, Yiran Wang, Yongheng Dai, Shaoqi Zhou, Bin Wang, Yancheng Li, Jiang Li
Summary: This study investigated the anaerobic co-digestion of excess sludge and different varieties of rice straw. The results showed that the addition of glutinous rice straw (GRS) had the highest hydrolysis and methanogenesis rates, and it promoted the degradation of lignocellulose. The digestion process was influenced by the abundance of certain bacteria. Additionally, the addition of GRS increased the nitrogen concentration in biogas residue and the phosphorus concentration in biogas slurry, but hindered the subsequent sludge dehydration.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thobias Pereira Silva, Mauricio Guimaraes de Oliveira, Jose Marcos Marques Mourao, Andre Bezerra dos Santos, Erlon Lopes Pereira
Summary: This study developed a mathematical model based on Monte Carlo simulation to predict the energy potential of biogas produced in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating swine wastewater (SWW). Lab-scale experiments and literature information were used to determine the energy potential of SWW at different organic loading rates (OLRs). The model allowed an estimation close to reality, with reduced errors, making it a relevant tool for entrepreneurship and energy self-sufficiency projects.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Muhammad Nauman, Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Faheem, Kamran Ikram, Muhammad Waqar Akram, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Mubashar Omar
Summary: Anaerobic digestion technology is an established method for energy generation and waste disposal. This research focused on designing and commissioning a continuous stirring batch reactor to calculate the biodegradability and biomethane potential of biowaste. The reactor was analyzed in a 30-day experiment, recording a maximum biomethane production of 52% and a 42% biodegradability of the molasses. The performance of the reactor was compared with a biogas simulator, with the simulator achieving a higher biomethane potential of 221L CH4 kg VS-1 compared to 210L CH4 kg VS-1 using the reactor.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bao-Shan Xing, Yi Zhang, Rui-Qi Zhang, Jing Ma, Xiang-Lin Chang, Xi-Fang Tang, Yu-You Li, Xiaochang C. Wang, Rong Chen
Summary: In this study, a new type of anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor (AnDMBR) was designed and operated in parallel with a conventional continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to enhance the substrate conversion efficiency and improve the reactor stability of codigestion with waste activated sludge (WAS) and food waste (FW). The results showed that the AnDMBR achieved a higher methane yield and maintained stable conditions compared to the CSTR. The dynamic membrane performance of the AnDMBR was also effective in intercepting the substrate and microorganisms during long-term periodic operation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tianwei Hao, Zheng Liu, Muxiang Liang, Xiaoming Liu, Jing Chen, Xiaohui Wu, Sunita Varjani, Feixiang Zan
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant impact of sulfite pretreatment on the solubilization and substrate release of PS, as well as the reduction of methane production from PS. Additionally, sulfite pretreatment affects the functional groups and degradation extent of PS.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Francesca Casagli, Simone Rossi, Jean Philippe Steyer, Olivier Bernard, Elena Ficara
Summary: This study evaluated the predictive capability of the ALBA model in treating agricultural digestate, and found that inorganic carbon limitation due to pH regulation hinders process efficiency and facilitates N2O emission. Standard operating parameters have limited effect on this limitation, with alkalinity being the main driver of inorganic carbon availability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camilla Tua, Elena Ficara, Valeria Mezzanotte, Lucia Rigamonti
Summary: Integrating a microalgae unit into an existing municipal wastewater treatment facility in northern Italy results in environmental improvements, mainly due to electricity savings. Out of 15 environmental indicators evaluated, the new algal configuration shows improvement in 7 indicators. Recommendations are provided to enhance the performance of the algal system during scaling up.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Micol Bellucci, Francesca Marazzi, Alida Musatti, Riccardo Fornaroli, Andrea Turolla, Simone Visigalli, Martina Bargna, Giovanni Bergna, Roberto Canziani, Valeria Mezzanotte, Manuela Rollini, Elena Ficara
Summary: The study found that microbes have great potential for the treatment and valorization of textile wastewater, especially when different processes are combined in sequence to enhance depurative efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Rossi, S. Visigalli, F. Castillo Cascino, M. Mantovani, V Mezzanotte, K. Parati, R. Canziani, A. Turolla, E. Ficara
Summary: Metal-based flocculants are commonly used for biomass harvesting in microalgae-based bio-refineries, but the toxicity of metals for the algal biomass should be considered. Partitioning tests showed that metals were mostly transferred to the solid phase and low metal concentrations in the liquid effluent allowed for water reuse. Photosynthesis inhibition tests revealed higher toxicity for the Al-based flocculant, with partial recovery of photosynthetic activity after exposure to metals, especially for Al. Non-toxic flocculant was tested, showing minimal reduction in photosynthetic activity compared to control.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arianna Catenacci, Matteo Grana, Francesca Malpei, Elena Ficara
Summary: A new method using batch Biochemical Methane Potential tests and analytical determinations was proposed to evaluate parameters in waste digestion process, and the results showed that this iterative process significantly improved the fitting of the model for multiple parameters.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Clagnan, Lorenzo Brusetti, Silvia Pioli, Simone Visigalli, Andrea Turolla, Mingsheng Jia, Martina Bargna, Elena Ficara, Giovanni Bergna, Roberto Canziani, Micol Bellucci
Summary: This study investigated the performance of a PN/A pilot-scale reactor treating textile wastewater, finding an increase in nitrogen removal efficiency despite challenges encountered. The PN/A process showed promising cost-effective potential for N treatment in textile wastewater.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
A. S. Sanchez-Zurano, S. Rossi, J. M. Fern, G. Aci, E. Molina-Grima, E. Ficara
Summary: This study proposed a respirometric procedure to estimate bacterial kinetics in both activated sludge and algae-bacteria consortia under different conditions. The results showed that bacteria in algae-bacteria consortia had a wider range of adaptability compared to activated sludge, indicating that typical activated sludge parameters may be inadequate for modeling algae-bacteria systems.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
S. Rossi, A. Pizzera, M. Bellucci, F. Marazzi, V Mezzanotte, K. Parati, E. Ficara
Summary: The efficiency of treating wastewaters from a large-scale pig farm in Northern Italy using an outdoor pilot-scale raceway pond was evaluated. The results showed high biomass productivity and removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen, orthophosphate, and chemical oxygen demand in the wastewater. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis demonstrated the potential of integrating algae-based processes in farms of different sizes to reduce nitrogen disposal and environmental pollution.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Simone Bagatella, Riccardo Ciapponi, Elena Ficara, Nicola Frison, Stefano Turri
Summary: By utilizing microalgae and sludge in the treatment of municipal wastewater, this project investigated the feasibility of producing sustainable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with high molecular weights and different compositions. The obtained amorphous PHA materials suggest a potential diversification of uses and applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Francesca Casagli, Fabrice Beline, Elena Ficara, Olivier Bernard
Summary: This study explores and quantifies the advantage of adding a solid/liquid separation system to uncouple Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) and Solid Retention Time (SRT) in High Rate Algal/Bacterial Ponds (HRABP). The results show that by uncoupling HRT and SRT and adapting the liquid depth and alkalinity content, the productivity of algae can be increased. Simulations indicate that maximizing algae productivity and the fraction of nitrogen recovered in the algae biomass are conflicting goals achieved under different operating conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Manuela Antonelli, Andrea Turolla, Elena Ficara, Juan Lema, Roberto Canziani, Francesca Malpei
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Francesca Marazzi, Riccardo Fornaroli, Elisa Clagnan, Lorenzo Brusetti, Elena Ficara, Micol Bellucci, Valeria Mezzanotte
Summary: This study evaluates a biotechnological process involving a microalgae/bacteria consortium for the simultaneous bioremediation and valorization of wastewater from textile digital printing technology. Lab-scale batch and continuous experiments were conducted to assess nutrient and colour removal, and the produced biomass was characterized for pigment content and biomethane potential. Microbial community analysis revealed a complex community structure responsible for the bioremediation action, with dominance of Scenedesmus spp. and xenobiotic and dye degrading bacteria in continuous photobioreactors. The findings highlight the capability of the microalgae/bacteria consortium to grow in textile wastewater while reducing nutrients and colour, and suggest improvement strategies for biomass growth and process performances. These experimental results lay the foundation for integrating a microalgal-based process into the textile sector within the framework of a circular economy.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
S. Rossi, D. Carecci, E. Ficara
Summary: This review focuses on the influence of cultivation temperature on the productivity of microalgae and other phototrophic microorganisms. A structured database was created to analyze the optimal growth condition and temperature limits for 424 strains belonging to 148 genera. These data can assist in reducing energy consumption and production costs, as well as facilitate thermal and biological modeling for different strain performances.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Valeria Mezzanotte, Francesco Romagnoli, Baiba Ievina, Marco Mantovani, Martina Invernizzi, Elena Ficara, Elena Collina
Summary: The research aims to evaluate the integration of a microalgae culture into a wastewater treatment plant to remove nitrogen from the supernatant. The encapsulation of zero-valent iron nanoparticles by hydrothermal carbonization allows for better removal of organic and inorganic pollutants. The results show that the integration of the new process does not affect the environmental performance of the WWTP, but greatly improves the removal of metals and micropollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Valeria Mezzanotte, Francesca Marazzi, Elena Ficara, Marco Mantovani, Sara Valsecchi, Francesca Cappelli
Summary: In this study, the results of a sampling and analysis campaign for emerging micropollutants in a pilot MBP raceway were reported. The study found that the algal population mainly consisted of Chlorella spp. and the pilot demonstrated satisfactory removal of nitrogen. Fourteen emerging micropollutants were analyzed, and significant removal efficiencies were observed for certain compounds, such as diclofenac, lamotrigine, ketoprofen, and clarithromycin. However, variability in removal efficiency was noted for other compounds, and some compounds showed lower removal efficiencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)