Ambigas - Biogas production from high volume industrial effluents at ambient temperatures: Ambigas

Project Description

High volume, low strength industrial effluents represent a great potential for innovation in biogas production. In order to utilise this potential a number of challenges must be addressed.; The high volume makes raising the temperature to typical mesophilic operating conditions unrealistic in terms of the energy input required for effluents produced at ambient or near-ambient temperatures.; Process technologies and configurations are needed that can compensate for the reduced kinetic rates at low temperatures while operating at high flow capacities.; The relatively low organic content leads to solubilisation of a high proportion of the methane produced into the treated effluent, and this is exacerbated at lower operating temperatures.; The overall aim of the project is thus to develop process technology, design criteria and operational strategies for biogas production from high volume, low strength industrial effluents that will allow wider uptake of this technology for both energy production and environmental protection. The proposed approach is to develop anaerobic processes capable of operation at ambient or near-ambient temperatures to minimise system energy demand, by combining psychro-active consortia with innovative reactor configurations. Methane capture will be maximised using enhanced membrane-based gas recovery and upgrading systems, to reduce environmental impact and maximise net energy production.