August saw significant advancements in the Italian case study as the ozonolysis plant installation has been completed, including a 12 m³ liquid oxygen tank, an ozone generator, and most importantly, the contact reactor where sludge and ozone will interact to enhance methane production. In the upcoming weeks, the oxygen tank will be filled, and the entire system will undergo rigorous testing before the first field trials commence.
Meanwhile, the construction and installation of the Ex-Situ Biomethanation (EBM) demonstration plant have been finalised. Studies on EBM pilot continue to show promising results: tests reveal the growth of methanogenic biofilm and hydrogen consumption, both crucial for methane production. Data collection is now underway, providing valuable insights for the development of a robust model and a deeper understanding of this process.
Finally, the experiments assessing the potential production of methane from microalgae, cultivated with the liquid fraction of digestate and treated with ozone, have shown remarkable results. Ozone treatment has significantly boosted the methane-producing potential of microalgae, increasing methane production by a substantial 179%!
These achievements mark another significant step forward in our goal to develop sustainable and efficient biomethane production technologies.
