Integrated anaerobic digestion and electrodialysis process model for enhanced volatile fatty acids recovery from thin stillage
Park, Junhyung
This item's files can only be accessed by the System Administrators group.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129775
Description
Title
Integrated anaerobic digestion and electrodialysis process model for enhanced volatile fatty acids recovery from thin stillage
Author(s)
Park, Junhyung
Issue Date
2025-05-09
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Cusick, Roland
Department of Study
Civil & Environmental Eng
Discipline
Civil Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Electrodialysis
Anaerobic Digestion
Volatile Fatty Acids
Techno-economic Analysis
Resource Recovery
Language
eng
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is widely applied for renewable energy recovery via biogas production. However, due to the abundant availability and low price of natural gas, biogas as a renewable energy source faces economic limitations. To enhance the sustainability and economic viability of AD, recent efforts have focused on uncoupling methanogenesis to produce valuable carboxylates, especially volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Efficient separation and recovery of these VFAs represent significant technological and economic challenges. This study focuses on modeling and optimizing integrated AD and electrodialysis (ED) processes for enhanced VFA production and separation. The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) was modified within the QSDsan platform to accurately represent fermentation pathways, including lactate and ethanol formation. Experimental data obtained from continuous operation of hybrid bioreactors inoculated with cow manure, using glucose and thin stillage as substrates, were used to calibrate the model. Simulation results demonstrated the critical influence of operational pH on the metabolic pathways, promoting either biogas or VFA production. An ED process model developed in BioSTEAM allowed for the evaluation and optimization of key operational parameters such as membrane area, current density, and hydraulic retention time under steady-state and continuous conditions. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) revealed membrane area and current density as critical cost determinants, with optimized conditions significantly reducing energy consumption and operating costs. Overall, this integrated modeling approach provides valuable insights into the scalability and economic feasibility of sustainable carboxylate recovery processes, offering a competitive alternative to traditional separation methods such as multi-effect evaporation.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
