Valorization of waste biomass into energy carriers - IM
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the microbial-based processes used to convert organic matter into value-added products such as biogas, which contains methane, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.
The AD process for degrading chemical compounds is a multi-phase anoxic/anaerobic process in which polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids are primarily fermented into hydrogen, formate, acetate, CO₂, and subsequently converted into methane.
To enhance competitiveness in the energy production market, waste biomass is utilized, reducing disposal costs and making the methane conversion process current and sustainable in the context of the energy transition towards independence from fossil fuels.
The research activity focuses on optimizing the AD process by studying the different aspects.
The AD process for degrading chemical compounds is a multi-phase anoxic/anaerobic process in which polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids are primarily fermented into hydrogen, formate, acetate, CO₂, and subsequently converted into methane.
To enhance competitiveness in the energy production market, waste biomass is utilized, reducing disposal costs and making the methane conversion process current and sustainable in the context of the energy transition towards independence from fossil fuels.
The research activity focuses on optimizing the AD process by studying the different aspects.
In the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process, different trophic groups of microorganisms cooperate in a syntrophic way to utilize complex organic matter as a source of carbon and energy. This mutualistic metabolism is supported by several electron transfer mechanisms known as Inter-species Electron Transfer. The Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET) process involves the direct exchange of electrons and is enhanced by conductive materials. The aim of this research area is to investigate the process conditions that enable efficient electron transfer, thereby increasing the methane content in biogas and/or the process rate.
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When transforming, for example, the manure, the lignocellulosic component results difficult to be converted microbiologically. Appropriate pretreatment processes can make plant fibers accessible to microorganisms. Various pretreatments, such as cavitation and microaeration, are being tested to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of the entire process. Real-scale application is being tested in a pilot plant, PILOTMOST, developed in collaboration with ZHAW and Laborex SA. The plant consists of three parallel lines with 500L digesters installed in a mobile container.
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Among the possible methanogenesis pathways , the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane using hydrogen is of current interest, as it is possible to use atmospheric CO₂ and mitigate its impact. In this area, we study the conditions that favor the hydrogenotrophic pathway in real-world conditions.
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