Enhancement of Anaerobic Digestion and Dark Fermentation Process Using Attached Growth System and Chemical Additives

High-energy demand, global warming and shortage of fossil fuels have motivated researchers to investigate on new energy alternatives with higher efficiencies. Anaerobic digestion as a biochemical process for degrading complex organics without oxygen, has been used as a promising technology for waste management systems and the production of energy and mitigation of the greenhouse gas by utilizing the waste for environmental causes. In this research, a particulate BioCord bioprocess technique is used to enhance of the AD process and increase the process performance. Usage of surface as a support media for bacterial growth and creation of biofilm has resulted in many benefits for the AD system such as shortening the operation and hydraulic retention time and increased efficiency. Moreover, additives of vitamins and micronutrients have been used to enhance the metabolic rate of AD process. The lab scale anaerobic biofilm bioreactors were utilized for evaluating the performance of 4 different BioCords (LS1, LS2, HS1 and HS2). Also, the impact of BioStreme, which as a mixture of metals in specific concentrations, and vitamins using a mixture of different groups of vitamins has been experimented as an additive to the system and showed a positive effect on both the biomethane end biohydrogen production.

High-energy demand, global warming and shortage of fossil fuels have motivated researchers to investigate on new energy alternatives with higher efficiencies. Anaerobic digestion as a biochemical process for degrading complex organics without oxygen, has been used as a promising technology for waste management systems and the production of energy and mitigation of the greenhouse gas by utilizing the waste for environmental causes. In this research, a particulate BioCord bioprocess technique is used to enhance of the AD process and increase the process performance. Usage of surface as a support media for bacterial growth and creation of biofilm has resulted in many benefits for the AD system such as shortening the operation and hydraulic retention time and increased efficiency. Moreover, additives of vitamins and micronutrients have been used to enhance the metabolic rate of AD process. The lab scale anaerobic biofilm bioreactors were utilized for evaluating the performance of 4 different BioCords (LS1, LS2, HS1 and HS2). Also, the impact of BioStreme, which as a mixture of metals in specific concentrations, and vitamins using a mixture of different groups of vitamins has been experimented as an additive to the system and showed a positive effect on both the biomethane end biohydrogen production.