Abstract
In the present study, electrocoagulation (EC), alone or in combination with precipitation or centrifugation, was assessed as a potential pretreatment method for enhanced production of biofuels from 3-phase decanter olive mill wastewater (OMW). Experiments were performed using undiluted and diluted OMW in an EC reactor, operating with a current of 2 A and either Al or Fe electrode materials. Subsequently, diluted OMW was subjected to EC followed by precipitation or centrifugation. The effect of current density (0.05, 0.5 or 1 A) on the combined EC – centrifugation process was assessed and a high reduction of organics was observed for the higher current applied. The different fractions of the pretreated effluents were used as substrates for methane, hydrogen as well as for bioethanol production and the maximum energy recovery was determined in each case. It was shown that, EC at a current of 2 A or further combination with physical methods led to low biofuels yields. However, reduction of the current during EC to 0.05 A or 0.5 A, led to high methane and ethanol yields, with the best scenario being the production of methane yielding an energy equivalent of 1902 kJ/L OMW.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.