Bresso:enhancement of biomethane upgrade from sewage sludge by algae valorization
BIOMETHANE: CAP HOLDING, at the Bresso/Niguarda wastewater plant, has installed two sewage sludge biomethane upgrade plants, one based on membrane technology and the other on zeolite filtration.
The ultimate aim of the project is to evaluate the technical feasibility of biomethane production from sewage sludge accordingly to CEN standards. Depending on the evolution of national legislation, the potential end-use of biomethane is: the introduction into the national natural gas network and the use as a fuel for automotive (reference standards: UNI TR 11537 and EN 16723 Specifications for biomethane for injection in the natural gas network) and 2 (Automotive fuel specifications). The first test results were validated by CNR-IIA (National research center - Atmospheric Pollution Institute) and by FCA Automotives with which CAP HOLDING has signed technical collaboration agreements.
The biomethane industrial plant realisation is on-going with completion foreseen for the IIIQ/2018.
- Biomethane production: 341.640 kgCH4/year;
- 8.320.000 km of road total, equivalent to over 200 times the circumference of the Earth;
- CO2 emission reduction: 97% compared to gasoline vehicles;
- 3.720 KgCO2/km saved (replacing 200 cars);
The microalgae cultivation details and results can be found at the website http://www.imap-project.it/. The first results have been presented during the “ALGAEUROPE Conference” (5-7 December 2017, Berlin, Germany) with an oral presentation. The microalgae can grow on digestate (areal productivity 4-10 gDW*/m2/d) with high P removal and with photo-oxygenation that supported nitrifiers activity.
*dry weight.