Intensifying hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in electrode-assisted UASB reactor under room-temperature conditions

IF 2.4 4区生物学 Q3 BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology Pub Date : 2025-08-08 DOI:10.1002/jctb.70036

Tania P. Mendoza-Tinoco, María del Carmen Fajardo-Ortiz, Ulises Durán-Hinojosa, Víctor Sánchez-Vázquez, Ignacio González, Ricardo Beristain-Cardoso

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Anaerobic digestion is a widely used and cost-effective technology for wastewater treatment and renewable energy recovery through biogas production. However, its efficiency significantly decreases under sub-mesophilic or room-temperature conditions due to the low metabolic activity. Recent approaches have explored electrical stimulation to enhance microbial performance. This study investigates the effect of electrical stimulation via current density (ESCD) on the performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor operating at room temperature.

RESULTS

Two 2 L UASB reactors were operated at a 12 h hydraulic retention time using domestic wastewater (chemical oxygen demand: 2 ± 0.1 g L⁻¹). The control reactor (R_C) had no electrodes, whereas the experimental reactor (R_E) was equipped with RuO₂/Ti mesh electrodes, to which a current density of 0.54 mA cm⁻² was applied. R_E showed an 86% increase in biogas production with 68% CH₄, 21% CO₂ and 11% H₂, resembling Hythane. Methane generation shifted toward hydrogenotrophic pathways (65%) over acetoclastic (35%). Compared to the biogas produced by R_C, that from R_E had a 23% higher calorific value and nearly twice the methane yield. Sludge from R_E exhibited a 17% lower sedimentation rate, 44% higher sludge volumetric index, and more compact granules enriched with filamentous microbes (confirmed via scanning electron microscopy). Content of extracellular polymeric substances increased by 52% and was particularly rich in proteins.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates, for the first time, that electrical stimulation via current density (0.54 mA cm⁻²) using RuO₂/Ti mesh electrodes in a UASB reactor operating at room temperature can significantly enhance hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. The electrode-assisted UASB reactor maintained continuous and elevated methane production, presenting a promising single-reactor strategy capable of high performance under room-temperature conditions without the need for external temperature control. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

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电极辅助UASB反应器在室温条件下强化氢营养化甲烷生成

厌氧消化是一种广泛应用且具有成本效益的污水处理技术，可通过生产沼气回收可再生能源。然而，在亚中温或室温条件下，由于代谢活性低，其效率显著降低。最近的方法是探索电刺激来提高微生物的性能。本研究探讨了电流密度（ESCD）电刺激对室温下上流式厌氧污泥毯（UASB）反应器性能的影响。结果采用生活废水（化学需氧量为2±0.1 g L−1），水力停留时间为12 h，运行2个2 L的UASB反应器。对照反应器（RC）没有电极，而实验反应器（RE）装有RuO₂/Ti网状电极，施加电流密度为0.54 mA cm−2。RE显示沼气产量增加86%，其中CH4 68%， CO2 21%, H2 11%，与乙烷相似。甲烷生成转向氢营养途径（65%），而不是醋酸分解途径（35%）。与RC生产的沼气相比，RE生产的沼气热值高出23%，甲烷产量几乎是RC生产沼气的两倍。RE污泥的沉降率降低17%，污泥体积指数提高44%，颗粒更致密，富含丝状微生物（通过扫描电子显微镜证实）。细胞外聚合物质含量增加52%，蛋白质含量尤其丰富。本研究首次证明，在室温下运行的UASB反应器中，使用RuO₂/Ti网状电极，通过电流密度（0.54 mA cm−2）进行电刺激，可以显著促进氢营养甲烷生成。电极辅助的UASB反应器保持了连续和高的甲烷产量，展示了一种有前途的单反应器策略，能够在室温条件下实现高性能，而无需外部温度控制。©2025化学工业学会（SCI）。

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来源期刊

Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

7.00

自引率

5.90%

发文量

268

审稿时长

1.7 months

期刊介绍： Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology(JCTB) is an international, inter-disciplinary peer-reviewed journal concerned with the application of scientific discoveries and advancements in chemical and biological technology that aim towards economically and environmentally sustainable industrial processes.