Anaerobic membrane reactor with phase separation for the treatment of cheese whey

Bioresour Technol. 2007 Aug;98(11):2102-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.08.013. Epub 2006 Oct 13.

Abstract

Two-phase anaerobic digestion of cheese whey was investigated in a system consisting of a stirred acidogenic reactor followed by a stirred methanogenic reactor, the latter being coupled to a membrane filtration system to enable removal of soluble effluent whilst retaining solids. The acidogenic reactor was operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of one day, giving maximum acidification of 52.25% with up to 5 g/l volatile fatty acids, of which 63.7% was acetic acid and 24.7% was propionic acid. The methanogenic reactor received an organic load up to 19.78 g COD/ld, corresponding to a HRT of 4 days, at which 79% CODs and 83% BOD(5) removal efficiencies were obtained. Average removals of COD, BOD(5) and TSS in the two-phase anaerobic digestion process were 98.5%, 99% and 100%, respectively. The daily biogas production exceeded 10 times reactor volume and biogas methane content was greater than 70%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria, Anaerobic / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Bioreactors*
  • Cheese*
  • Filtration
  • Food-Processing Industry
  • Industrial Waste*
  • Membranes
  • Methane / metabolism
  • Organic Chemicals / metabolism
  • Waste Management / instrumentation
  • Waste Management / methods*

Substances

  • Industrial Waste
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Methane