Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
running the WinDaq data acquisition software. A variable-load resistor (0-5,000
)
was used to generate power density curves.
Analysis of glucose, lactate, and by-products of bioconversion by the anode
biocatalyst was conducted using a Hitachi LaChrom Elite HPLC system, with a
Bio-Rad AminexHPX-84H column and an RI detector. The column temperature
was 65
◦
C and the detector temperature was 50
◦
C. The flow rate of the mobile phase
was 0.5 ml/min.
5.3 Results and Discussion
5.3.1 Electricity Production Potential from Food
Industry Wastewaters
The estimated electricity production potential was calculated per ton of the product
for various food industry wastewaters. These results are shown in Table 5.1. The
total wastewater volume for production within the US was available for the dairy
and the brewery industry, for which the total MW production potential is given.
As seen from the results in Table 5.1, power production, by itself, may not offer a
sufficient incentive to warrant use of the MFC technology. Other advantages, such
as potential for water reuse and production of alternative form of energy such as
hydrogen may need to be considered.
5.3.2 Hydrogen Production Potential From Food
Industry Wastewaters
The microbial electrolysis cell process has potential to produce hydrogen from
wastewaters that contain easily degradable organic carbon. The potential amount of
hydrogen that can be produced from the wastewater streams is shown in Table 5.1.
Hydrogen is considered as the fuel of the future and is also an important reagent in
the chemical industry. While it may not be economical to produce hydrogen from all
of the wastewater streams in individual food processing plants, potential integration
of food processing plants with future biorefineries may offer a niche for hydrogen
production, especially if hydrogen is required on-site [40]. Of special interest for this
application are the cereal, edible oil, and brewery industries. Utilization of wastes
and wastewaters to produce this versatile chemical can help develop sustainable
energy use alternatives to existing practices.
5.3.3 Electricity Production from Dairy Wastewater
A preliminary characterization of the wastewater from the Mayfield dairy plant by
HPLC revealed presence of various sugars as well as organic acids. Based on known
