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Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries

Publication ,  Journal Article
Colón, J; Forbis-Stokes, AA; Deshusses, MA
Published in: Energy for Sustainable Development
December 1, 2015

Improving access to sanitation is one of the most effective means to improve public health. Anaerobic digestion of high-strength undiluted human simulant excreta was investigated in laboratory systems. The focus was on demonstrating the suitability of using simple unmixed anaerobic digesters for the treatment of a simulant high-strength undiluted human excreta and to quantify the effects of high ammonia concentration on the biogas yield. A maximum biogas yield of 0.44NLbiogasg-1COD was obtained in batch experiments, while yields of 0.38 and 0.24NLbiogasg-1COD were obtained at 5 and 8g total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) L-1, respectively. Using an inoculum acclimated to high ammonia concentrations was critical to successful biogas production at these high TAN concentrations. Stable long-term anaerobic digestion of simulant human excreta at ammonia concentrations ranging from 5.20 to 7.15g-NL-1 was obtained in a scaled-down mimic of a low cost floating dome anaerobic digester. Overall, the results demonstrate that anaerobic digestion of undiluted human simulant excreta in simple unmixed digesters is feasible and yields biogas, which is a valuable commodity. When combined with proper hygienization of its effluent, anaerobic digestion could contribute to effective sanitation in developing countries with limited water availability.

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Published In

Energy for Sustainable Development

DOI

EISSN

2352-4669

ISSN

0973-0826

Publication Date

December 1, 2015

Volume

29

Start / End Page

57 / 64

Related Subject Headings

  • Energy
  • 44 Human society
  • 40 Engineering
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 09 Engineering
 

Citation

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Colón, J., Forbis-Stokes, A. A., & Deshusses, M. A. (2015). Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries. Energy for Sustainable Development, 29, 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2015.09.005
Colón, J., A. A. Forbis-Stokes, and M. A. Deshusses. “Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries.” Energy for Sustainable Development 29 (December 1, 2015): 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2015.09.005.
Colón J, Forbis-Stokes AA, Deshusses MA. Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries. Energy for Sustainable Development. 2015 Dec 1;29:57–64.
Colón, J., et al. “Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries.” Energy for Sustainable Development, vol. 29, Dec. 2015, pp. 57–64. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.esd.2015.09.005.
Colón J, Forbis-Stokes AA, Deshusses MA. Anaerobic digestion of undiluted simulant human excreta for sanitation and energy recovery in less-developed countries. Energy for Sustainable Development. 2015 Dec 1;29:57–64.
Journal cover image

Published In

Energy for Sustainable Development

DOI

EISSN

2352-4669

ISSN

0973-0826

Publication Date

December 1, 2015

Volume

29

Start / End Page

57 / 64

Related Subject Headings

  • Energy
  • 44 Human society
  • 40 Engineering
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 09 Engineering