1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Methanogenic and methanotrophic potential in wastewater : a substrate-based study of sludge and flocculent biomass

AuthorPalacksone Vongxayalath
Call NumberAIT RSPR no.EV-23-01
Subject(s)Methane--Environmental aspects
Wastewater--Treatment
Greenhouse gas emissions
NoteA Research Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractMethane is a powerful greenhouse gas produced by both natural and human processes that contribute to global warming. Its sources consist of wastewater treatment plants, particularly released from the sludge handling process where nutrients are rich and anaerobic condition occur known as methanogenic activity. Especially the small-scale treatment plants are overlooked on this matter. However, there are some microbiological mechanisms that can eradicate methane by oxidizing to carbon dioxide, also called methanotrophic activity. In order to emphasize the producing capacity as well as oxidation pathways, in this study was investigated on both views on two different mediums including SBR flocculent biomass and excess sludge. Methane production potential on the mediums for a specific substrate like acetate was performed associated with C/N ratios, in terms of methane consumption potential, it was studied focusing on aerobic and anaerobic conditions, nitrate was utilized as an electron acceptor for anaerobic methane oxidation. The results given the significant methane production potential from the SBR flocculent biomass and the sludge in almost the same, 38.18 and 33.15 mgCH4.gVS-1.d-1. Moreover, for the investigation on methane oxidation found that the key performance in SBR flocculent biomass was obtained from nitrate addition 2x where consumption rate was 18.57 mgCH4.gVS-1.h-1, also in the sludge was obtained the notable oxidation rate under aerobic condition at around 3.24 mgCH4.gVS-1.h-1. In addition, with the obtained results and site observation, the management methods were encouraged mainly on two conditions, anaerobic digestion can be done with an existing sludge collection tank by installing the membrane cover for gas storage, whereas for aerobic oxidation, the proposed strategies would be the conventional sludge drying lagoons, sludge drying beds and to be more enhanced, the sludge treatment wetlands are reasonable to consider.
Year2023
TypeResearch Study Project Report (RSPR)
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC))
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering (EV)
Chairperson(s)Cruz, Simon Guerrero
Examination Committee(s)Xue, Wenchao;Ekbordin Winijkul
Scholarship Donor(s)Loom Nam Khong Pijai (Greater Mekong Subregion) Scholarships
DegreeResearch studies project report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023


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