Test of an anaerobic prototype reactor coupled with a filtration unit for production of VFAs

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 145; pp. 240 - 247
• Main Authors: Poughon, Laurent, Creuly, Catherine, Farges, Bérangère, Dussap, Claude-Gilles, Schiettecatte, Wim, Jovetic, Srdjan, De Wever, Heleen
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acidification; Ammonia - metabolism; Anaerobiosis; Applied sciences; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Chromatography, Gas; Compartments; Drying; Environment, Controlled; Exact sciences and technology; Fatty Acids, Volatile - biosynthesis; Filtration; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Membranes, Artificial; Methane; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Organic waste; Pollution; Prototypes; Reactors; Thermophilic; Various methods and equipments; VFA production; Wastes; Acidification; Organic waste; VFA production; Thermophilic; Bioreactor; Filtration; Prototype; Anaerobe; Thermophily
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.12.052

► A pilot scale assay for VFA production is proposed. ► We improve thermophilic waste degradation without methane production. ► We reconciliate experimental data for anaerobic digestion. The artificial ecosystem MELiSSA, supported by the European Space Agency is a closed loop system consisting of 5 compartments in which food, water and oxygen are produced out of organic waste. The first compartment is conceived as a thermophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor liquefying organic waste into VFAs, ammonium and CO2 without methane. A 20 L reactor was assembled to demonstrate the selected design and process at prototype scale. We characterized system performance from start-up to steady state and evaluated process efficiencies with special attention drawn to the mass balances. An overall efficiency for organic matter biodegradation of 50% was achieved. The dry matter content was stabilized around 40–50gL−1 and VFA production around 5–6gL−1. The results were consistent for the considered substrate mixture and can also be considered relevant in a broader context, as a first processing step to produce building blocks for synthesis of primary energy vectors.