Exploiting the unwanted: Sulphate reduction enables phosphate recovery from energy-rich sludge during anaerobic digestion

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion is shifting from a single-purpose technology for renewable energy recovery from organic waste streams to a process for integrated resource recovery. The valorisation of high-rate energy- and phosphorus-rich sludge creates the opportunity for their combined recovery. This phosphate is present in a precipitated form in the sludge, and its release into the liquid phase is an important issue before recovery can be achieved. The objective of this research was to exploit the “unwanted” sulphate reduction process for the release of phosphate into the liquid phase during anaerobic digestion, thus, making it available for recovery. Two different treatments were considered, i.e., a control digester and a digester to which sulphate was added, each operated in triplicate for a period of 119 days. The control digester showed stable methane production at 628 ± 103 mL CH4 L−1 d−1, with a feedstock COD (chemical oxygen demand) conversion efficiency of 89.5 ± 14.6%. In contrast, the digester with sulphate addition showed a 29.9 ± 15.3% decrease in methane production, reaching an “inhibited steady state”, but phosphate release into the liquid phase increased to 58.7 ± 12.9% of total P, a factor 4.5 higher than the control digester. This inhibited steady state coincided with a clear shift from a Methanosaetaceae to a Methanosarcinaceae dominated methanogenic community. Overall, the sulphate reduction process allows phosphate release during the anaerobic digestion process, yet, at the cost of a reduced methane production rate.