10.1007/s40095-018-0283-7

Stripping and scrubbing of ammonium using common fractionating columns to prove ammonium inhibition during anaerobic digestion

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  • K. Ghyselbrecht1,
  • A. Monballiu1,
  • M. H. Somers2,
  • I. Sigurnjak3,
  • E. Meers3,
  • L. Appels2,
  • B. Meesschaert*1,
  1. Cluster for Bio-engineering Technology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Brugge, 8200, BE
  2. Cluster for Sustainable Process Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, 2860, BE
  3. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, BE
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Published in Issue 2018-08-23

How to Cite

Ghyselbrecht, K., Monballiu, A., Somers, M. H., Sigurnjak, I., Meers, E., Appels, L., & Meesschaert, B. (2018). Stripping and scrubbing of ammonium using common fractionating columns to prove ammonium inhibition during anaerobic digestion. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 9(4 (December 2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-018-0283-7
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Abstract

Abstract Anaerobic digestion to produce biogas is generally considered as one of the most sustainable technologies for the production of renewable energy. During this microbial process, organically bound nitrogen is released as ammonium that ends up in the digestate and finally may inhibit the process. In this study, it is investigated if ammonium can be removed and recovered out of the liquid fraction of a thermophilic digestate from a potato processor. This is achieved at laboratory scale through an easy and self-designed stripping and scrubbing process using Vigreux and Dufton columns, which are commonly used laboratory fractionating columns. The stripping is performed at pH 8.5 and at 323.15 K (50 °C), which results in the volatilization of the ammonium present in ammonia. Subsequently, the stripping gas charged with ammonia is put into contact with a sulphuric acid solution, resulting in (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , which can be used as an N–S fertilizer. In addition, the digestion experiments have demonstrated that the biogas yield is 36% higher after removal of the ammonium from the digestate compared to the untreated digestate.

Keywords

  • Ammonium,
  • Anaerobic digestion,
  • Biogas,
  • Stripping and scrubbing
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