Biodegradation of high cellulose-lignin content agricultural wastes in bioreactors

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 206 - 217, 30.09.2023

Yonca Kılıç , Roda Gökçe Yılmaz Çinçin , Osman Nuri Ağdağ

https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1245409

Abstract

The bioreactor landfill is a solid waste disposal method that provides rapid degradation of solid waste and acquisition of methane. Bioreactors in which leachate circulation is carried out are generally operated anaerobically. The biodegradation of wastes with high lignin and cellulose content is very difficult. Especially under anaerobic conditions (moreover, if there is a lack of moisture), such wastes almost never decompose. In this study, the degradation of waste sunflower stalks that are difficult to biodegrade and have a high lignin-cellulose content and the production of methane gas in semi-aerobic bioreactors have been investigated. Sunflower stalks were loaded into the bioreactors in different proportions and mixed with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFSWM). The bioreactors have been operated under different operating conditions. The contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and initial and final organic matter in the wastes loaded into the bioreactors were examined. Parameters such as pH, COD, BOD5, TKN, NH4-N in leachate were analysed and the amounts of total and methane gas were measured. Initially, all bioreactors have been operated anaerobically. In the decomposition of the sunflower stalk, while 43% of the organic matter removal was achieved in the anaerobic bioreactor, 60% of the organic matter removal was realized in the semi-aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor. The other agricultural wastes were then subjected to decomposition under semi-aerobic/anaerobic operating conditions. As a result of the study, it can be said that semi-aerobic pretreatment accelerates the decomposition of agricultural waste with a high lignin and cellulose content, decreases the COD values of leachate, and increases the amount of methane.

Keywords

Anaerobic, bioreactor, low biodegradable waste, semi-aerobic, sunflower stalk

Supporting Institution

Pamukkale Universitesi

Project Number

2020FEBE016

References

• U.N. Energy, “A Decision support tool for sustainable bioenergy,” Prepared by FAO and UNEP for UN Energy, 2010.
• M. Shafiei, M. M. Kabir, H. Zilouei, I. Sárvári Horváth, and K. Karimi, “Techno-economical study of biogas production improved by steam explosion pretreatment.,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 148, pp. 53–60, 2013. [CrossRef]
• R. J. Banu, M. Preethi, S. Kavitha, V. K. Tyagi, M. Gunasekaran, M Karthikeyan, O. Karthik, and G. Kumar, “Lignocellulosic biomass based biorefinery: A successful platform towards circular bioeconomy,” Fuel. Vol. 302, Article 121086, 2021. [CrossRef]
• E. Ruiz, I. Romero, M. Moya, C. Cara, J. D. Vidal, and E. Castro, “Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of sunflower stalks for sugar production,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 140, pp. 292–298, 2013. [CrossRef]
• M. Zhurka, A. Spyridonidis, I.A. Vasiliadou, and K. Stamatelatou, “Biogas production from sunflower head and stalk residues: Effect of alkaline pretreatment,” Molecules, Vol. 25(1), Article 164, 2020. [CrossRef]
• A. L. Ziebell, J. G. Barb, S. Sandhu, B. Moyers, R. W. Sykes, C. Doeppke… J. M. Burke, “Sunflower as a biofuels crop: An analysis of lignocellulosic chemical properties,” Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 59, pp. 208–217, 2013. [CrossRef]
• J.-C. Frigon, and S. R. Guiot, “Biomethane production from starch and lignocellulosic crops: a comparative review,” Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. Vol. 4(4), pp. 447–458, 2010. [CrossRef]
• M. Reyes-Torres, E. R. Oviedo-Ocaña, I. Dominguez, D. Komilis, and A. Sánchez, “A systematic review on the composting of green waste: Feedstock quality and optimization strategies,” Waste Management. Vol. 77, pp. 486–499, 2018. [CrossRef]
• Y. Çöpür, C. Güler, M. Akgül, and C. Taşçioǧlu, “Some chemical properties of hazelnut husk and its suitability for particleboard production,” Building and Environment, Vol. 42(7), pp. 2568–2572. [CrossRef]
• M. J. Taherzadeh, and A. Jeihanipour, “Recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass to anaerobic digestion,” In: A. Mudhoo, (Ed.), Bopgas Production: Pretreatments for enhanced Anaerobic Technology Scrivener Publishing LLC , pp. 2754, 2012. [CrossRef]
• T. Mali Sandip, C. Khare Kanchan, and H. Biradar Ashok, “Enhancement of methane production and bio-stabilisation of municipal solid waste in anaerobic bioreactor landfill,” Bioresource Technology. Vol. 110, pp. 10–17, 2012. [CrossRef]
• M. Warith, “Bioreactor landfills: experimental and field results,” Waste Management. Vol. 22(1), pp. 7–17, 2002. [CrossRef]
• Y. Long, Y. Y. Long, H. C. Liu, and D. S. Shen, “Degradation of Refuse in Hybrid Bioreactor Landfill,” Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 22(4), pp. 303–310, 2009. [CrossRef]
• D. T. Sponza, and O. N. Aǧdaǧ, “Impact of leachate recirculation and recirculation volume on stabilization of municipal solid wastes in simulated anaerobic bioreactors,” Process Biochemistry, Vol. 39(12), pp. 2157–2165, 2004. [CrossRef]
• American Public Health Association, “Standard methods for the examination water and wastewater,” American Public Health Association, 1992.
• G. Anderson, and G. K. Yang, “Determination of bicarbonate and total volatile acid concentration in anaerobic digesters using a simple titration,” Water Environment Research, Vol. 64(1), pp. 53–59, 1992. [CrossRef]
• M. I. Beydilli, S. G. Pavlostathis, and W. C. Tincher, “Decolorization and toxicity screening of selected reactive azo dyes under methanogenic conditions,” Water Science and Technology, Vol. 38(4–5), pp. 225–232, 1998. [CrossRef]
• E. Razo-Flores, M. Luijten, B. Donlon, G. Lettinga, and J. Field, “Biodegradation of selected azo dyes under methanogenic conditions,” Water Science and Technology. Vol. 36(6–7), pp. 65–72, 1997. [CrossRef]
• S. Li, S. Xu, S. Liu, C. Yang, and Q. Lu, “Fast pyrolysis of biomass in free-fall reactor for hydrogen-rich gas,” Fuel Processing Technology. Vol. 85(8–10), pp. 1201–1211, 2004. [CrossRef]
• L. Dumlu, A. S. Ciggin, S. Ručman, and N. Altınay Perendeci, “Pretreatment, anaerobic codigestion, or both? Which is more suitable for the enhancement of methane production from agricultural waste?,” Molecules, Vol. 26(14), Article 4175, 2021. [CrossRef]
• S. R. Hobbs, A. E. Landis, B. E. Rittmann, M. N. Young, and P. Parameswaran, “Enhancing anaerobic digestion of food waste through biochemical methane potential assays at different substrate: inoculum ratios.,” Waste Management, Vol. 71, pp. 612–617, 2018. [CrossRef]
• Q. Xu, Y. Tian, S. Wang, and J. H. Ko, “A comparative study of leachate quality and biogas generation in simulated anaerobic and hybrid bioreactors,” Waste Management, Vol. 41, pp. 94–100, 2015. [CrossRef]
• J. F. Peng, Y. H. Song, Y. L. Wang, P. Yuan, and R. Liu, “Spatial succession and metabolic properties of functional microbial communities in an anaerobic baffled reactor,” International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, Vol. 80, pp. 60–65, 2013. [CrossRef]
• K. Venkiteshwaran, B. Bocher, J. Maki, and D. Zitomer, “Relating anaerobic digestion microbial community and process function,” Microbiology Insights, Vol. 8(Suppl 2), pp. 37–44, 2016. [CrossRef]
• A. A. Siddiqui, “Assessing pretreated municipal solid waste degradation by BMP and fibre analysis.,” Environmental Research & Technology, Vol. 2, pp. 19–25, 2019. [CrossRef]
• L. Sun, P. B. Pope, V. G. H. Eijsink, and A. Schnürer, “Characterization of microbial community structure during continuous anaerobic digestion of straw and cow manure,” Microbial Biotechnology. Vol. 8(5), pp. 815–827, 2015. [CrossRef]
• M. Scherzinger, and M. Kaltschmitt, “Thermal pre-treatment options to enhance anaerobic digestibility – A review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Vol. 137, Article 110627, 2021. [CrossRef]
• E. Sekman, S. Top, G. Varank, and M.S. Bilgili, “Pilot-scale investigation of aeration rate effect on leachate characteristics in landfills,” Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, Vol. 20(7), pp. 1841–1852, 2011. [CrossRef]
• A. Schnürer, and Å. Nordberg, “Ammonia, a selective agent for methane production by syntrophic acetate oxidation at mesophilic temperature,” Water Science and Technology, Vol. 57(5), pp. 735–740, 2008. [CrossRef]
• P. Toptas, A. Suna, E. Yay, P. Toptas, A. Suna, and E. Yay, “Use of ıntermittent (partial) aerobic, hybrid and anaerobic treatment methods in waste management,” APJES, Vol. 2, pp. 15–21, 2017. [CrossRef]
• T. Al Seadi, D. Rutz, H. Prassl, M. Kottner, T.Finsterwalder, S. Volk, and R. Jansenn, Downloaded Biogas Handbook. University of Southern Denmark Esbjerg. http://lemvigbiogas.com/ Accessed on Sep 04, 2023.
• R. Cossu, L. Morello, R. Raga, and G. Cerminara, “Biogas production enhancement using semi-aerobic pre-aeration in a hybrid bioreactor landfill,” Waste Management, Vol. 55, pp. 83–92, 2016. [CrossRef]
• J. C. Angle, T. H. Morin, L. M. Solden, A. B. Narrowe, G. J. Smith, M. A. Borton… K. C. Wrighton, “Methanogenesis in oxygenated soils is a substantial fraction of wetland methane emissions,” Nature Communications, Vol. 8(1), Article 1567, 2017. [CrossRef]
• D. Nguyen, and S.K. Khanal, “A little breath of fresh air into an anaerobic system: How microaeration facilitates anaerobic digestion process,” Biotechnology Advances, Vol. 36(7), pp. 1971–1983, 2018. [CrossRef]
• M. Nag, T. Shimaoka, and T. Komiya, “Impact of intermittent aerations on leachate quality and greenhouse gas reduction in the aerobic–anaerobic landfill method,” Waste Management. Vol. 55, pp. 71–82, 2016. [CrossRef]
• E. Ebrahimian, J. F. M. Denayer, M. Aghbashlo, M. Tabatabaei, and K. Karimi, “Biomethane and biodiesel production from sunflower crop: A biorefinery perspective,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 200, pp. 1352–1361, 2022. [CrossRef]
• Y. Sun, X. Sun, and Y. Zhao, “Comparison of semi-aerobic and anaerobic degradation of refuse with recirculation after leachate treatment by aged refuse bioreactor,” Waste Management, Vol. 31(6), pp. 1202–1209, 2011. [CrossRef]
• Q. Huang, Y. Yang, X. Pang, and Q. Wang, “Evolution on qualities of leachate and landfill gas in the semi-aerobic landfill,” Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol. 20(4), pp. 499–504, 2008. [CrossRef]