Process simulation and modeling: Anaerobic digestion of complex organic matter

This work is focused on evaluating kinetic models of complex organic matters hydrolysis and volatile fatty acids degradation in anaerobic digestion process, simulated using SuperPro design software. Kinetic model evaluation was also carried for simulated integrated system of liquid anaerobic digestion (LAD) of dairy manure and solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of corn stover. Already developed hydrolysis and volatile fatty acid (VFA) degradation kinetic constants were used to simulate anaerobic digestion processes of dairy manure and corn stover separately and in the integrated process as well. Hydrolysis of complex soluble organic matters such as protein, carbohydrate and fat was modelled using first-order kinetics. Monod model was tested for the VFAs such as acetic, propionic and butyric acid degradation and biogas production. Comparative study has been done between the experimental data published already and results obtained from SuperPro simulated processes. The simulated results were well comparable with the experimental results. [Display omitted] •We simulated the LAD of dairy manure and SS-AD of corn stover for biogas production using SuperPro software.•We integrated the LAD and SS-AD process to increase gas producing efficiency and avoid hurdles in handling of LAD effluent.•We found the integrated model was efficient in biogas production.•Model results were comparable with published results of same conditions in LAD, SS-AD and integrated anaerobic digestion processes.