Advancements in the Italian case study of BIOMETHAVERSE project continued throughout the autumn and winter period. Significant progress was made in completing the installation of the ozonolysis plant. The testing phase has been successfully completed and the plant is now fully operational. The process control phase is ongoing to optimize the operational parameters of ozonolysis and to adequately integrate the pre-treatment with the subsequent phase of anaerobic digestion. Sampling and analytical activities are in progress.
All essential safety measures have been implemented, including comprehensive training of the wastewater treatment plant personnel by SIAD and thorough inspections by the Fire Service Department.
Simultaneously, experimentations on the Ex-Situ Biomethanation (EBM) plant are progressing. Different duration and frequency of the venting phase are being tested to evaluate their impact on biogas yields, composition and the back diffusion phenomena of methane and CO2 in the lumen. The second reactor, operating with suspended biomass, is in the start-up phase.
The co-digester upgrade is nearing completion and is ready for installation. Meanwhile, lab-scale semi-continuous co-digestion tests were performed by feeding a mixture of algae (untreated or ozone-pretreated) and waste sludge to a 2L anaerobic reactor. Results demonstrated the feasibility of using ozone to increase biogas production from algae-sludge co-digestion.
With the arrival of more favorable weather conditions in spring, the experiments on microalgae growth will be resumed.
