Intensification of the distillery waste water anaerobic fermentation with high methane contens in biogas emissions

Abstract

The anaerobic digestion of organic substrates in agricultural waste waters, including from fruit and vegetable processing, winery, canning, etc. industries can be both the way to reduce the pollutants contents, and the source of biogas as well as an alternative energy source. The problem to which resolving this work is addressed, involves the following main issues: energy component, environmental protection, economic development and social improvement. The research involved is focused on developing a new-generation intensive ecological technology and integrated bioreactor for biogas production through the valorisation of agro-industrial wastes which are hazardous being dumped in the natural environment. The technology proposed bears a breakthrough character and is based on the use of natural phyto-catalysts introduced in the digested biomass in micro-concentrations of 10-3 -10-5 %. They are obtained by extraction from natural vegetable feedstock and wastes. It was shown that the phyto-catalysts proposed promote 1,5-2 times acceleration of methanogenic process and increase in biomethane contents in biogas up to natural gas level. Therefore, the capital costs for bioreactors construction and operation could be significantly reduced.