Kinetic study of the biomethanization of olive mill wastewater previously subjected to aerobic treatment with Geotrichum candidum

Abstract

The apparent kinetic constant was determined for the anaerobic digetion of olive mill wastewater (OMW) which comes from clasical press factory previously subjected to aerobic digestion with Geotrichum candidum in view of his high content in organic matter. The results obtained revealed it to markedly decrease (from 1 to 0,2 days-1) with increase in its COD (from 6 to 11 g/l) in the presence of both free and supported on Sepiolite (Pansil) biomass. This shows the existence of an inhibition process which is determined by using the Levenspiel kinetic model. Anaerobic digestion allowed up to 80% of the COD present to be removed with an average yield coefficient of 315 ml CH4 STP/g COD.

Keywords

• aerobic pretreatment
• biomethanation
• classical olive mill wastewater
• kinetic model
• substrate inhibition