Date: Wednesday, 28 April 2021
Time: 17:30 - 18:30 CEST
Session code ICV.11
Industrial Technology Innovations for Bioenergy and Bio-Based Product
Biowave: Microwave Pretreatment of Dairy FOG Waste for Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion
Short Introductive summary
Dairy FOG wastewater is difficult to treat, causes inhibitory effects in anaerobic digestion, and is diverted from the waste stream for disposal via land spreading. FOG compounds are energy-dense, representing up 50 % of the chemical oxygen demand of the total waste stream in 10 % of the volume. Accessing this energy reserve would lead to enhanced biogas production. Here we present Biowave™ - microwave pretreatment technology. Microwave energy heats feedstocks efficiently and uniformly, enhancing chemical reactions and therefore aiding chemical breakdown of recalcitrant compounds, such as the long chain fatty acids found in FOG waste. By removing these compounds, the adverse effects of FOG waste on anaerobic digestion is eliminated and the energy locked up in this waste stream can be harnessed. The technology contributes to the circular economy by utilising FOG waste to produce renewable energy, and reducing the CO2 emissions and costs associated with transport and disposal.
Presenter
Catherine MCINTYRE
Ashleigh Environmental
Presenter's biography
Senior Environmental Microbiologist at Ashleigh Environmental, Waterford, Ireland. Catherine has a BSc in Chemistry from NUI Galway and a PhD in Biogeochemistry from University of Bristol. Her research interests are in development of novel technologies for the valorisation of waste streams.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
Y. Liu, National University of Ireland, Galway, IRELAND
C. Nzeteu, National University of Ireland, Galway, IRELAND
S. O'Connor, National University of Ireland, Galway, IRELAND
K. Feehily, Ashleigh Environmental, Waterford, IRELAND
M. Radoiu, Microwave Technologies Consulting, Lyon, FRANCE
K. McGrath, Ashleigh Environmental, Waterford, IRELAND
V. O'Flaherty, National University of Ireland, Galway, IRELAND
Session reference: ICV.11.6