Anaerobic digestion of aqueous phase from pyrolysis of biomass: Reducing toxicity and improving microbial tolerance

Zhou, Haoqin; Brown, Robert C.; Wen, Zhiyou

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121976

Cited by 54 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…During long-term co-digestion (>500 days), the microorganisms were exposed to incremental non-catalyzed APL loadings in order to acclimate to the toxic compounds and show tolerance. At low APL OLRs of 0.06 and 0.1 gCOD/L r -d, the expected theoretical stoichiometric methane production from APL COD was observed; however, higher OLRs inhibited methane production ostensibly due to APL toxicity that could be attributed to the phenolics, which are well-known toxicants in the APL [11,15,18,19] ( Figure 4B). Phenolic compounds exert toxicity by disrupting cell membrane proteins and permeability, resulting in inactivation of enzymatic systems and damage to intracellular components [15,45].…”

Section: Long-term Semi-continuous Anaerobic Digestionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Yu et al (2020) employed different dilutions of APL in anaerobic digestion and observed that an elevated concentration of phenolics in less diluted APL resulted in anaerobic digester failure [18]. Zhou et al (2019) performed anaerobic digestion of APL derived from pyrolysis of corn stover at 500 • C, and phenols were reported as potential major toxicants in raw APL [15].…”

Section: Inhibition By Apl and Future Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Utilizing acclimated biomass to help improve anaerobic digestion of APL is a strategy to reduce the toxic effect of APL [15,19]. Methanogenic cultures already exposed to similar constituents as in APL, such as biomass in anaerobic digesters treating phenolic wastewater, could be a beneficial seed biomass to reduce the long acclimation period required [45,46].…”

Section: Inhibition By Apl and Future Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One possible APL management strategy involves anaerobic digestion, since APL contains a high concentration of organics (30-300 gCOD/L), including acetic acid (approximately 25 g/L) that possibly could be converted to biogas containing methane for renewable energy generation [11,13]. However, previous studies have shown anaerobic digestion is challenging since APL contains organic compounds that are known to inhibit methanogens and reduce or stop digester methane production [10,11,15]. In addition, high ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) concentration in APL may also cause digester inhibition [13,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biochar addition was reported to increase methane production by adsorbing some inhibitors [19]. Zhou et al (2019) used different APL pretreatments including overliming to reduce the toxicity of the APL derived from pyrolysis of corn stover under 500 • C [15]. The overliming method removed a majority of the toxic compounds and increased biogas production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge

et al. 2020

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Pyrolysis can convert wastewater solids into useful byproducts such as pyrolysis gas (py-gas), bio-oil and biochar. However, pyrolysis also yields organic-rich aqueous pyrolysis liquid (APL), which presently has no beneficial use. Autocatalytic pyrolysis can beneficially increase py-gas production and eliminate bio-oil; however, APL is still generated. This study aimed to utilize APLs derived from conventional and autocatalytic wastewater solids pyrolysis as co-digestates to produce biomethane. Results showed that digester performance was not reduced when conventional APL was co-digested. Despite having a lower phenolics concentration, catalyzed APL inhibited methane production more than conventional APL and microbial community analysis revealed a concomitant reduction in acetoclastic Methanosaeta. Long-term (over 500-day) co-digestion of conventional APL with synthetic primary sludge was performed at different APL organic loading rates (OLRs). Acclimation resulted in a doubling of biomass tolerance to APL toxicity. However, at OLRs higher than 0.10 gCOD/Lr-d (COD = chemical oxygen demand, Lr = liter of reactor), methane production was inhibited. In conclusion, conventional APL COD was stoichiometrically converted to methane in quasi steady state, semi-continuous fed co-digesters at OLR ≤ 0.10 gCOD/Lr-d. Undetected organic compounds in the catalyzed APL ostensibly inhibited anaerobic digestion. Strategies such as use of specific acclimated inoculum, addition of biochar to the digester and pretreatment to remove toxicants may improve future APL digestion efforts.

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Section: Long-term Semi-continuous Anaerobic Digestionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Inhibition By Apl and Future Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Inhibition By Apl and Future Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge

et al. 2020

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Biomass Processing via Thermochemical–Biological Hybrid Processes

Torri

Rombolà

Kiwan

et al. 2021

Biomass Valorization

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Removal of phenolics from aqueous pyrolysis condensate by activated biochar

et al. 2021

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Aqueous pyrolysis condensate (APC) is rich in acetic acid and has been utilized as feedstock for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. However, various phenolic compounds dissolved in the APC act as inhibitors, negatively affecting the anaerobic digestion. In this work, we have investigated the feasibility of employing pyrolytic biochar as an adsorbent for the selective removal of phenolics from APC. Biochars derived from the pyrolysis of soft wood, rice husks, and sewage sludge and their respective activated forms have been tested as potential adsorbents for the removal of pure phenol from water solutions. The experimental results showed that, among the adsorbents studied, activated soft wood (ASW) biochar has the highest adsorption efficiency and capacity for phenol removal from water. The kinetic and isotherm studies showed that the phenol adsorption data with ASW biochar may be well described by pseudo second‐order equation and Freundlich model. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of pH, adsorbent loading, contact time, and temperature on phenolics adsorption onto ASW from APC. At optimal adsorption conditions (pH of 6.0, contact time of 30 min, adsorbent loading of 9.61 0.25em0em0emgadsorbent·gTotal phenolics−1, and temperature of 25°C), an adsorption efficiency of 96.9% ± 1.8% and a capacity of 100.78 ± 2.7 mg · g−1 were achieved. Finally, the adsorption efficiency and capacity of ASW for phenolics removal from APC was successfully compared with those of commercial activated carbon, showing comparable results, which indicated the suitability of ASW as an environmentally friendly adsorbent.

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Anaerobic digestion of aqueous phase from pyrolysis of biomass: Reducing toxicity and improving microbial tolerance

Cited by 54 publications

References 44 publications

Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge

Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge

Biomass Processing via Thermochemical–Biological Hybrid Processes

Removal of phenolics from aqueous pyrolysis condensate by activated biochar

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