Chemical characterization and anaerobic biodegradability of hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous products from mixed-culture wastewater algae

Giovana Tommaso, Wan Ting Chen, Peng Li, Lance Schideman, Yuanhui Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the chemical characteristics and the anaerobic degradability of the aqueous product from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL-ap) from the conversion of mixed-culture algal biomass grown in a wastewater treatment system. The effects of the HTL reaction times from 0 to 1.5. h, and reaction temperatures from 260. °C to 320. °C on the anaerobic degradability of the HTL-ap were quantified using biomethane potential assays. Comparing chemical oxygen demand data for HTL-ap from different operating conditions, indicated that organic matter may partition from organic phase to aqueous phase at 320. °C. Moderate lag phase and the highest cumulative methane production were observed when HTL-ap was obtained at 320. °C. The longest lag phase and the smallest production rate were observed in the process fed with HTL-ap obtained at 300. °C. Nevertheless, after overcoming adaptation issues, this HTL-ap led to the second highest accumulated specific methane production. Acetogenesis was identified as a possible rate-limiting pathway.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)139-146
Number of pages8
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume178
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

Keywords

  • Algae
  • Anaerobic
  • Hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous product
  • Methane

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

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