The liquid waste generated by the chemical industry is typically either burned or treated in aerated tanks, resulting in lost opportunities for energy recovery (such as CH4) and significant CO2 emissions due to incineration or the electricity used for aeration. To address this issue, CORNERSTONE is adopting an anaerobic conversion process. This process aims to reduce the organic load, decrease CO2 emissions, and minimize sludge production, all while producing sustainable energy in the form of biogas.
However, a challenge arises as liquid waste and wastewater often contain high concentrations of refractory organics, toxicants, and inhibitors. In response, CORNERSTONE is pursuing two parallel strategies. First, it involves developing innovative process designs for the anaerobic bioreactor, such as the anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). Second, the project focuses on creating and applying suitable processes, such as fractional distillation and pervaporation, to separate and remove the stubborn and inhibitory compounds from the biodegradable organics. This dual approach aims to enhance the efficiency of the anaerobic conversion process and make it more effective in managing challenging industrial liquid waste streams.