The Influence of the Ultrasound Disintegration of Microalgal–Bacterial Granular Sludge on Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency

It has been proven that the biocenosis of microalgae and bacteria improves chemical properties biomass for its use in anaerobic digestion. However, this digestion can be limited by strong, compact, complex structure granulated biomass. Therefore, there is a need to search an effective method microalgal–bacterial granular sludge pretreatment, which not undertaken previous scientific works. In study, ultrasonic pretreatment was used determine effects sonication on efficiency. Anaerobic performed batch respirometric reactors. found enhanced solubility; thus, organic matter concentration increased more than six times compared variant without pretreatment. The study showed positive effect kinetics process methane production. highest yield variants ultrasonication lasted from 150 s 200 s, 534 ± 16 mL CH4/g VS 561 17 VS. data analysis confirmed strong correlations between time, amount biogas production, gross energy gain. net output gain were obtained sonication, and, respectively, 4.21 0.17 Wh/g 1.19 0.18