Biogas Purification through the use of a Microalgae-Bacterial System in Semi-Industrial High Rate Algal Ponds

Summary

Air pollution impacts the quality of life of all organisms. Here, we describe the use of microalgae biotechnology for the treatment of biogas (simultaneous removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide) and the production of biomethane through semi-industrial open high-rate algal ponds and subsequent analysis of treatment efficiency, pH, dissolved oxygen, and microalgae growth.

Abstract

In recent years, a number of technologies have emerged to purify biogas into biomethane. This purification entails a reduction in the concentration of polluting gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide to increase the content of methane. In this study, we used a microalgal cultivation technology to treat and purify biogas produced from organic waste from the swine industry to obtain ready-to-use biomethane. For cultivation and purification, two 22.2 m³ open-pond photobioreactors coupled with an absorption-desorption column system were set up in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. Several recirculation liquid/biogas ratios (L/G) were tested to obtain the highest removal efficiencies; other parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and biomass growth, were measured. The most efficient L/Gs were 1.6 and 2.5, resulting in a treated biogas effluent with a composition of 6.8%vol and 6.6%vol in CO₂, respectively, and removal efficiencies for H₂S up to 98.9%, as well as maintaining O₂ contamination values of less than 2%vol. We found that pH greatly determines CO₂ removal, more so than L/G, during cultivation because of its participation in the photosynthetic process of microalgae and its ability to vary pH when solubilized due to its acidic nature. DO, and temperature oscillated as expected from the light-dark natural cycles of photosynthesis and the time of day, respectively. Biomass growth varied with CO₂ and nutrient feeding as well as reactor harvesting; however, the trend remained primed for growth.

Introduction

In recent years, several technologies have emerged to purify biogas to biomethane, promoting its use as non-fossil fuel, therefore mitigating undesairable methane emissions¹. Air pollution is a problem that affects most of the world's population, particularly in urbanized areas; ultimately, around 92% of the world's population breathe polluted air². In Latin America, the air pollution rates are mostly created by the use of fuels, whereby in 2014, 48% of the air pollution was brought on by the electricity and heat production sector³.

In the last decade, more and ....

Protocol

1. System set-up

NOTE: A piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) of the system described in this protocol is shown in Figure 2.

1. Reactor set-up
   1. Prepare the ground by leveling and compacting it to improve reactor stability.
   2. On an open field, dig two elongated holes and 3 m from the end, further dig a 3 m² and 1 m deep hole (known as an aeration well).
   3. Place two HRAPs (

Discussion

Throughout the years, this algal technology has been tested and used as an alternative to the harsh and expensive physicochemical techniques to purify biogas. Particularly, the Arthrospira genus is widely used for this specific purpose, along with Chlorella. There are few methodologies, however, that are made on a semi-industrial scale, which adds value to this procedure.

It is critical to maintain lower O₂ concentrations by using the proper L/G ratio; however, thi.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1" rotameter	CICLOTEC	N/A
1" rotameter	GPI	A10-LMA100IA1
Absorption tank	EFISA	Made under previous design
Air blower (2.35 HP)	Elmo Rietschle	2BH11007AH01
Biogas blower (2 HP)	Elmo Rietschle	2BH11007AH01
Biogas composition measure	Geotech	BIOGAS 5000
Data-acquisition device	LabJack Co.	U3-LV
Diffuser tubes	Aero-Tube	C3060AR
DO sensor	Applisens	Z10023525
Dodecahydrated trisodium phosphate	Quimica PIMA	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Dodecahydrated trisodium phosphate	Fermont	35963	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Durapore membrane (45 µm)	MerckMillipore	HVLP04700
Electric motor 1.5 HP	Weg	00158ET3ERS56C
Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate	Agroquimica Samet	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate	Fermont	63593	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Geomembrane	GEOSINCERE	N/A
Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate	Tepeyac	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate	Fermont	63623	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Paddle wheel	GSI	Made under previous design
pH sensor	Van London pHoenix	715-772-0041
Portable screen	Rasspberry	Pi 3 B+
Recirculation centrifugal pump (1.5 HP)	Aquapak	ALY 15
Sodium bicarbonate	Industria del alcali	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Sodium bicarbonate	Fermont	12903	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Sodium chloride	Sal Colima	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Sodium chloride	Fermont	24912	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Sodium nitrate	Vitraquim	N/A	Fertilizer grade (greenhouse and experior use)
Sodium nitrate	Fermont	41903	Analytical grade (Used in cultures inside the laboratory)
Storing program (pH, DO)	Python Software Foundation	Python IDLE 2.7
Tedlar bags	SKC Inc.	232-25
Temperature recorder	T&D	TR-52i
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer	ThermoFisher Scientific instrument	GENESYS 10S
Vacuum pump	EVAR	EV-40