Acclimation of microorganisms for an efficient production of volatile fatty acids and biogas from mezcal vinasses in a dark fermentation process

S. A. Díaz-Barajas, M. A. Garzón-Zúñiga, I. Moreno-Andrade, J. M. Vigueras-Cortés, B. E. Barragán-Huerta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mezcal is an alcoholic artisanal drink made from agave plants in Mexico. Its production causes the generation of wastewater called vinasses, which are highly polluting residues due to its concentration of organic matter as chemical oxygen demand (COD) (35,000–122,000 mg/L) and acidity (pH< 4). Due to their organic content, these residues can be used in dark fermentation to obtain biogas, which is rich in H2. The acclimation of inoculum by means of a dark fermentation process in the presence of toxic compounds from mezcal vinasses was investigated. The strategy of increasing the initial concentration of vinasse in each treatment cycle in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) reactor was applied. A maximum biogas production of 984 ± 187 mL/L was obtained, from vinasses (18,367 ± 1200 mg COD/L), with an organic matter removal efficiency of 20 ± 1%. A maximum generation of volatile fatty acids of 980 ± 538 mg/L equivalent to a production of 74% ± 21% of the influent concentration and removal rate of organic matter of 1125 ± 234 mg COD/L-d equivalent to a removal efficiency of 20% ± 4% was obtained from vinasses with a concentration of 19,648 ± 1702 mg COD/L.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2724-2731
Number of pages8
JournalWater Science and Technology
Volume83
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Acclimation
  • Dark fermentation
  • Inoculum activation
  • Mezcal vinasses
  • Substrate for sustainable energy production

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