Collection,Analysis, and Utilization of Biogas from Anaerobic Treatment of Crab Processing Waters

Abstract

Two laboratory-scale, upflow anaerobic reactors were constructed to treat blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) cooking wastewater for determination of the volume and composition of the resulting bio-gas. Both systems (A and B) consisted of two 4-liter (L) upflow anaerobic reactors and one 8-L aerobic reactor in series. The first anaerobic reactor of System A contained 240,12.7 mm foam cubes, while the first anaerobic reactor of System B contained 180 foam pieces (25.4 ×25.4 ×12.7 mm). Biogas production rates for System A ranged from 6.6 L gas/L feed to 10.0 L gas/L feed. Mean values for System B ranged from 7.1 L gas/L feed to 11.9 L gas/L feed. Methane and carbon dioxide comprised 68% and 28%, respectively, of the gas from both systems. Hydrogen sulfide averaged 1.5% and 1.4% for systems A and B, respectively. A pilot-scale biogas collection and utilization system was also constructed and successfully demonstrated. Details of the pilot-scale system design are provided in the paper to help processors better understand how the technology might be applied.