The production of biogas from organic solid waste represents a challenge for the production of energy from biomass. Biogas represents an example of fuel gas obtained by biomass anaerobic fermentation of manure, sewage sludge, biodegradable wastes and municipal wastes. Due the amount of waste, biogas production represents a very promising way to solve the problem of waste treatment thanks to the production of bio-energy, as thermal as electric. Furthermore, the solid residuals of fermentation might be reused as fertilizers. Aim of this paper was the optimization of biogas production in a pilot-scale fermentor where mixture of solid organic and vegetable residuals are tested. Different food waste have been used as co-substrate, such as olive mills wastes (namely wastewaters and husks), orange juice production residuals (like peels, also named “pastazzo”), cheese whey, potato residuals. The amount of biogas and its composition have been related to the operating parameters of temperature, mixing rate and conditions, organic solids and vegetable residuals feed mass ratio. Experimental results obtained at both laboratory and pilot scale permitted to estimate the optimal feed composition in order to maximise the biogas production. A fluid-dynamic study has been carried out to optimize the stirring operating conditions, coupling experimental and theoretical analysis. A mathematical model has been also formulated in order to predict optimal biogas production and composition as function of operative parameters. Based on model results, the process scale-up has been done and a process control system has been also designed. A specific attention has been also dedicated to the use of biogas, in co-generation system in order to produce thermal and electrical energy, and in the cited use of sub-products as fertilizer and in the recovery of water. This information has been used to carry out an economic analysis of the whole process.
Optimization of biogas production with bioconversion of organic solid wastes (manure) and food industry wastes
CURCIO, Stefano;CALABRO', Vincenza;
2010-01-01
Abstract
The production of biogas from organic solid waste represents a challenge for the production of energy from biomass. Biogas represents an example of fuel gas obtained by biomass anaerobic fermentation of manure, sewage sludge, biodegradable wastes and municipal wastes. Due the amount of waste, biogas production represents a very promising way to solve the problem of waste treatment thanks to the production of bio-energy, as thermal as electric. Furthermore, the solid residuals of fermentation might be reused as fertilizers. Aim of this paper was the optimization of biogas production in a pilot-scale fermentor where mixture of solid organic and vegetable residuals are tested. Different food waste have been used as co-substrate, such as olive mills wastes (namely wastewaters and husks), orange juice production residuals (like peels, also named “pastazzo”), cheese whey, potato residuals. The amount of biogas and its composition have been related to the operating parameters of temperature, mixing rate and conditions, organic solids and vegetable residuals feed mass ratio. Experimental results obtained at both laboratory and pilot scale permitted to estimate the optimal feed composition in order to maximise the biogas production. A fluid-dynamic study has been carried out to optimize the stirring operating conditions, coupling experimental and theoretical analysis. A mathematical model has been also formulated in order to predict optimal biogas production and composition as function of operative parameters. Based on model results, the process scale-up has been done and a process control system has been also designed. A specific attention has been also dedicated to the use of biogas, in co-generation system in order to produce thermal and electrical energy, and in the cited use of sub-products as fertilizer and in the recovery of water. This information has been used to carry out an economic analysis of the whole process.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
