Article
Thermodynamics
Ingrid R. F. S. Alves, Claudio F. Mahler, Luciano B. Oliveira, Marcelo M. Reis, Joao P. Bassin
Summary: The addition of crude glycerol in anaerobic co-digestion process can significantly increase the production of biogas and methane. Although methane production was transiently inhibited at the highest concentration in the trials, it was restored and even maximized after a period of adaptation.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Alicia Paz, Carlo Solisio, Attilio Converti, Alessandro Alberto Casazza
Summary: Currently, there are limited sustainable alternatives for managing exhausted olive pomace (EOP), a hazardous waste from olive oil production. This study examined the use of organosolv pretreatment to enhance anaerobic digestion (AD) of EOP, either alone (mono-AD) or in co-digestion with sewage sludge (co-AD), in a pilot-scale reactor. It was found that shortening the acclimation phase improved methane production, with a specific productivity of 575.15 LCH4 kgVS-1 d-1. Although mono-AD outperformed co-AD in terms of biogas specific productivity, both strategies achieved similar levels of methane yield and biodegradability. The study highlights the potential of organosolv pretreatment to enhance AD and achieve zero waste in the olive oil sector.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lei Zhang, Pu Yang, Kongyun Zhu, Xinran Ji, Jiao Ma, Lan Mu, Fahim Ullah, Wenxiang Ouyang, Aimin Li
Summary: This study investigates the impact of co-treatment of food waste and sewage sludge on the performance of the integrated system. The results show that there is a synergistic enhancement at the optimal ratio, leading to increased methane production and improved combustion characteristics. Additionally, the co-treatment increases the daily energy output and specific energy output of the full-scale plant.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Afsane Sedighi, Mohsen Karrabi, Bahar Shahnavaz, Morteza Mostafavinezhad
Summary: This study investigated the potential for biogas production from anaerobic codigestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge under mesophilic conditions. The results showed that the best outputs were achieved at TS = 5% and ISR = 2, with the highest biogas yield and methane production.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hasan Merdun, Zakari Boubacar Laouge, Ismail Veli Sezgin, Asli Seyhan Ciggin
Summary: Studies on evaluating sewage sludge as a feedstock for thermochemical processes have made significant progress. It is important to determine the stage of sewage sludge treatment for incorporating thermochemical processes into wastewater treatment plants and configuring the optimal process scheme. Pyrolysis is a crucial process for resource recovery, producing bio-oil and biochar. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal process scheme for pyrolysis of different sewage sludges, and the conditions for maximum bio-oil yield were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Aijun Zhu, Yu Qin, Jing Wu, Min Ye, Yu-You Li
Summary: The optimal performance was achieved in the thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion process of sewage sludge with paper waste at a ratio of 4:6, where the COD removal efficiency and biogas production increased significantly. The addition of paper waste had a positive impact on the competition between carbohydrate and protein degradation, with cellulolytic bacteria becoming the predominant group.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dominik Andreides, Dana Pokorna, Jana Zabranska
Summary: This study assessed the effects of different syngas loading rates and mechanical stirring on the biomethanation of syngas in a lab-scale continuous anaerobic digester processing sewage sludge. The results showed that mechanical stirring improved the conversion rate of CO and H2, while increased pH resulted in acetic acid accumulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changmin Lee, Seunghwan Kim, Man Ho Park, Young Su Lee, Changweon Lee, Sungho Lee, Junmo Yang, Jae Young Kim
Summary: This study assessed the possibility of anaerobic co-digestion of oil scum and secondary sludge with food waste or swine manure. It was found that oil scum with high total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) content is not suitable for co-digestion, while co-digestion of secondary sludge with food waste and/or swine manure can increase methane production.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Salome M. Duarte, Erika Sinisgalli, Ana J. Cavaleiro, Lorenzo Bertin, M. Madalena Alves, M. Alcina Pereira
Summary: This study demonstrates that biogas recirculation in the biogas-lift bioreactor facilitated the degradation of waste frying oils, most likely due to the selective enrichment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chapol Kumar Roy, Yuki Hoshiko, Shotaro Toya, Toshinari Maeda
Summary: The effect of sodium selenite on anaerobic digestion of waste sewage sludge was studied. It was found that sodium selenite had a dual effect, promoting methane production at low concentrations and inhibiting methane production at high concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. S. Romero-Guiza, J. Palatsi, X. Tomas, P. Icaran, F. Rogalla, V. M. Monsalvo
Summary: The study shows that alkaline pre-treatment of grease trap waste can improve the bioavailability of organic matter and facilitate its use as a co-substrate. Full-scale anaerobic co-digestion assays of pre-treated grease trap waste and sewage sludge did not show inhibitory or operational problems under experimental conditions. An economic assessment for a 160,000 population equivalent WWTP in a European scenario showed a relatively short payback period.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aleksandra Petrovic, Klavdija Zirngast, Tjasa Cencic Predikaka, Marjana Simonic, Lidija Cucek
Summary: The production of edible vegetable oils generates a large amount of waste, which can have a negative impact on the environment. However, this waste can also be used to produce high value-added products like biogas. This study investigated the mono-digestion and co-digestion of various by-products and wastes from the vegetable oil industry, and found that co-digestion with municipal sewage sludge increased biogas yields. Kinetic analysis showed that the Cone model was the most suitable for the digestion process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Archana Paranjpe, Seema Saxena, Pankaj Jain
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the co-digestion of food waste (FW) and sewage sludge (SS) using single-stage anaerobic digestion (SSAD) and two-stage anaerobic digestion (TSAD) processes. The results showed that the TSAD process with a FW to SS mass ratio of 60:40 achieved higher biogas production, volatile solid (VS) removal efficiency, and methane (CH4) concentration compared to the SSAD process.
ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pengzhou Kang, Yuxiu Zhang, Xiaopeng Ge, Zhi Qian
Summary: This study investigated the transformation of nitrogen and sulfur compounds in anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) and examined changes in microbial community structure and related metabolic functions. The findings revealed that H2S was the predominant form of sulfur initially, which was later converted into SO42- and SO32-. NH3 and NH4+ were the primary forms of nitrogen during AcoD. Bacterial diversity was closely associated with nitrogen and sulfur compounds, with different functional compositions related to N and S metabolism observed after the AcoD process.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Likui Feng, Tianyi Hu, Hao Ma, Zhelu Gao, Yu Liu, Shufei He, Jing Ding, Junqiu Jiang, Qingliang Zhao, Liangliang Wei
Summary: The addition of oil sludge biochar (OSBC) can enhance methane production and improve conductivity and enzyme activity in anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Salome M. Duarte, Erika Sinisgalli, Ana J. Cavaleiro, Lorenzo Bertin, M. Madalena Alves, M. Alcina Pereira
Summary: This study demonstrates that biogas recirculation in the biogas-lift bioreactor facilitated the degradation of waste frying oils, most likely due to the selective enrichment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claudia Amorim, Beatriz B. Cardoso, Sara C. Silverio, Jessica C. Silva, Joana Alves, Maria Alcina Pereira, Ramon Moreira, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: This study explores the use of prebiotic supplementation and sugar reduction in pastry products to increase their nutritional and commercial value. The results show that both commercial agave inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides have prebiotic potential, with differences in their effects on gut microbiota. The modified muffins with reduced sugar content showed comparable texture parameters to commercial ones, indicating good consumer acceptance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bruno P. Morais, Valdo Martins, Gilberto Martins, Ana Rita Castro, Maria Madalena Alves, Maria Alcina Pereira, Ana J. Cavaleiro
Summary: Hydrocarbons from the oil and gas industry can be effectively treated through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. However, the toxicity of hydrocarbons towards methanogens may inhibit methane production, especially at concentrations above 15mM hexadecane. Further studies indicate that anaerobic treatment systems still have potential for methane production from oily waste/wastewater despite the presence of hydrocarbons.
Correction
Engineering, Environmental
M. Salome Duarte, Sergio A. Silva, Andreia F. Salvador, Ana J. Cavaleiro, Alfons J. M. Stams, M. Madalena Alves, M. Alcina Pereira
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
R. M. Silva, A. A. Abreu, A. F. Salvador, M. M. Alves, I. C. Neves, M. A. Pereira
Summary: This study investigated thermophilic biohydrogen production through dark fermentation using a mix of C5 and C6 sugars and Sargassum sp. biomass. The addition of zeolite in the biological processes showed a positive impact on hydrogen yield and production rate. The presence of zeolite in both batch and continuous reactor experiments led to an increase in hydrogen titer and yields, indicating its potential for enhancing biohydrogen production processes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Valdo R. Martins, Carlos J. B. Freitas, A. Rita Castro, Rita M. Silva, Eduardo J. Gudina, Joao C. Sequeira, Andreia F. Salvador, M. Alcina Pereira, Ana J. Cavaleiro
Summary: The cork-based biosorbent corksorb enhances growth and alkane degradation by hydrogenase bacteria, without affecting the expression of genes involved in alkane uptake and degradation. The presence of corksorb increases metabolic activity and cell attachment, ultimately improving the activity of the bacteria for in situ bioremediation in marine oil spills.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
B. Conall Holohan, M. Salome Duarte, M. Alejandra Szabo-Corbacho, Ana J. CavaleiroAna, Andreia F. Salvador, M. Alcina Pereira, Ryan M. ZielsRyan, Carla T. M. J. Frijters, Santiago Pacheco-Ruiz, Marta Carballa, Diana Z. Sousa, Alfons J. M. Stams, Vincent O'Flaherty, Jules B. van Lier, M. Madalena Alves
Summary: Lipids in wastewater treatment plants pose challenges, but can be effectively treated using appropriate strategies and technologies. Understanding microbial communities and interactions enhances understanding of lipid degradation in anaerobic reactors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gilberto Martins, Sara Campos, Ana Ferreira, Rita Castro, Maria Salome Duarte, Ana J. Cavaleiro
Summary: The developed mathematical model serves as a decision-supporting tool for defining the best strategies for in situ bioremediation of contaminated sites. By integrating the contributions of various physicochemical and biological processes, it facilitates the simulation and comparison of different bioremediation scenarios, providing useful support for the management of contaminated sites.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Ana R. Castro, Gilberto Martins, Andreia F. Salvador, Ana J. Cavaleiro
Summary: Waste and wastewater containing hydrocarbons are produced by oil-based industries worldwide, leading to severe environmental contamination. Anaerobic microorganisms have the ability to biodegrade petroleum hydrocarbons, and iron compounds play multiple roles in this process, promoting hydrocarbon degradation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
M. Salome Duarte, Gilberto Martins, Pedro Oliveira, Bruno Fernandes, Eugenio C. Ferreira, M. Madalena Alves, Frederico Lopes, M. Alcina Pereira, Paulo Novais
Summary: Wastewater treatment companies are facing challenges in energy efficiency optimization, meeting stricter water quality standards, and resource recovery potential. Computational models have been recognized as effective tools for addressing these challenges and improving economic and operational efficiencies of wastewater treatment plants. Deterministic, stochastic, and time series-based models have been developed to predict the performance of wastewater treatment plants. Mechanistic models, although dominant, may introduce model structure uncertainty and require frequent calibration. Data-driven models, which search for relationships in available data, are becoming more attractive with the increasing amount of data. This review discusses the implementation of machine learning models for predicting WWTP effluent characteristics, wastewater inflows, anomaly detection, and energy consumption optimization. Hybrid models, merging mechanistic and machine learning models, are presented as a promising approach. The review also assesses gaps and future directions in the implementation of mathematical modeling in wastewater treatment processes, focusing on explainability of data-driven models and the use of Transfer Learning processes.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Joao Oliveira, Jose C. Costa, Ana J. Cavaleiro, Maria Alcina Pereira, Maria Madalena Alves
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of inoculum type, pre-consumption of residual substrate, and the ratio of headspace volume to working volume on Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) measurements. The findings suggest that degassing and discounting methane produced in blanks are essential for accurate results. The residual substrate concentration of different inocula also plays a role in the determination.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Salome Duarte, Joao V. Oliveira, Carla Pereira, Miguel Carvalho, Daniela P. Mesquita, Maria Madalena Alves
Summary: The study focused on biorefining a mixture of food waste, brine, and wastewater from a biodiesel production facility to produce organic acids as building blocks for a biobased industry. The results showed that an initial pH of 7 led to higher acidification yield, and stirred reactors were more effective in dealing with high salinity wastewaters.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rita M. Silva, Ana Rita Castro, Raul Machado, Maria Alcina Pereira
Summary: This study investigated the effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on the production of storage compounds by Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2. It was found that the variation in DO concentration can influence the bacterial metabolism pathway, leading to different types of produced compounds. The results show that selecting the appropriate DO concentration during PW treatment can enhance the production rate of valuable compounds while maintaining high efficiency of hydrocarbon removal.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)