Analysis of energy return on investment of dry anaerobic digestion for low water alperujo with oxidative, thermal and alkaline pretreatments

• Published in: Water and environment journal : WEJ Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 247 - 258
• Main Authors: Gil, Rocio M., Groff, Maria Carla, Kuchen, Benjamín, Gil, Daiana G., Fernández, Maria Cecilia, Vazquez, Fabio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2024
• Subjects: alperujo; Anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic microorganisms; Anaerobic processes; Anaerobic treatment; Biogas; Digestion; dry anaerobic digestion; Energy; environment; EROI; gas production (biological); green methane; Hydrogen peroxide; Investment; Methane; Microorganisms; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Pretreatment; pretreatments; Productivity; Return on investment; viability; water
• DOI: 10.1111/wej.12914
• ISSN: 1747-6585

Anaerobic digestion processes for biogas generation using alperujo have been the subject of intensive studies suggesting that phenolic compounds act as microbial inhibitors in anaerobic digestion. Pretreatments are needed to reduce the effects of phenolic compounds and improve biogas production, especially for dry anaerobic digestion. However, industrial‐scale implementation of these pretreatments is challenging, and it is unclear whether the improvement in biogas production justifies the energy expended on pretreatment. This study examines the energy analysis of dry anaerobic digestion and three alternative pretreatments: alkaline, oxidative and thermal. Results indicate that thermal pretreatment at 80°C with added water reduces phenolic compounds in alperujo by 35.4%. Meanwhile, pretreated with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium had the highest methane productivity (205 mL CH4/gVS). Even so, thermal pretreatment was only one with an energy return on investment greater than 1, signifying the necessity for energy analysis to ensure the viability of pretreatment processes. Highlights Three pretreatments were evaluated to improve biogas production. Thermal pretreatment offers top phenolic compounds reduction in alperujo digestion. Oxidative pretreatment increased methane productivity by 36%. Dry anaerobic digestion shows promise for alperujo biogas production. Energy return on investment index determines thermal pretreatment efficiency and viability. The study focuses on enhancing biogas production from alperujo in anaerobic digestion, where phenolic compounds are a major obstacle, requiring pretreatments like alkaline, oxidative, and thermal methods to improve efficiency. This study shows that pretreated with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium had the highest methane productivity. However, only thermal pretreatment at 80°C demonstrates an energy return on investment greater than 1, highlighting the importance of energy analysis in validating pretreatment processes for industrial application.