Assessment of energy efficiency and performance in a two-phase anaerobic process for organic matter removal

Abstract Energy efficiency (EE) depends mainly on the lower heating values (LHVs) of hydrogen and methane selected from thermodynamics tables under ideal conditions. However, for practical applications, value should be calculated by considering some environmental factors real Accordingly, this study compared EE using LHV with in a two-phase anaerobic digestion reactor treating synthetic wastewater. Additionally, process performance stability were studied. The results showed that LHVideal was, average, 35% higher than evaluated LHVreal; these differences are relevant to estimation energy also applications. At same time, index buffer intermediate alkalinity/partial alkalinity was shown more accurate pH analyze process. With regards chemical oxygen demand, removal methanogenic phase decreased drastically when utilizing 100% acidogenic phase. Future considerations optimization each highlighted.