Assessment of Selected Parameters in CO2 and CH4 Mass Transfer During Photosynthetic Biogas Upgrading Using Bubble Columns Filled with Wastewater-Derived Microalgae
Abstract
This study investigated the simultaneous effects of four variables─column packing, diffuser pore size, biogas flow rate, and liquid height─on the mass transfer of CO 2 and CH 4 in bubble columns for photosynthetic biogas upgrading. Two bubble columns were used: an empty column and a column packed with granular media, both filled with wastewater-derived microalgae. The microalgal suspension was obtained from a high-rate algal pond that treated the anaerobic effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor fed with urban wastewater. The results indicated a direct relationship between the methane–water volumetric mass transfer coefficient ( K L a ) and both biogas flow rate and liquid height in both columns. Although higher K L a values were observed at increased biogas flow rates, higher masses of methane were transferred to the liquid phase at lower flow rates due to longer contact times. Additionally, lower biogas flow rates enhanced CO 2 transfer, driving it toward saturation in the liquid phase, whereas extended contact times led to oxygen enrichment of the biogas. The packed column achieved higher K L a, suggesting that the granular media fragmented biogas bubbles, preventing coalescence and improving gas–liquid contact. However, connecting a coarse bubble diffuser to the packed column proved disadvantageous due to high oxygen enrichment and methane loss. By contrast, the use of a fine bubble diffuser in the empty column improved biogas energy potential, reduced oxygen enrichment, and enhanced methane retention, resulting in a more efficient upgrading process. Overall, this study revealed a positive energy balance under the tested conditions and demonstrated that optimizing diffuser and column design is crucial for enhancing the energy efficiency of biogas upgrading.
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Microalgae-based systems can be effectively used in wastewater and leachate treatment, waste and sewage sludge neutralisation, carbon dioxide biostorage, biogas upgrading, and flue gas cleaning.
“Previous studies have shown that microalgae-based systems can be effectively used in wastewater and leachate treatment, waste and sewage sludge neutralisation, carbon dioxide biostorage, biogas upgrading, and flue gas cleaning [22-27].”
From Multi-Sensing Monitoring of the Microalgae Biomass Cultivation Systems for Biofuels and Added Value Products Synthesis—Challenges and Opportunities (2025) · cites this paper as [25]
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Dębowski, M., Kazimierowicz, J., & Zieliński, M. (2025) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app15137324 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gonçalves, R. F., Bastos, L. P., Nariyoshi, Y. N., Borges, R. M., Keller, R., & Silveira, D. D.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Gonçalves, Ricardo Franci
- Venue
- Energy & Fuels
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2025-04-08
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 15
- Pages
- 7314-7325
- ISSN
- 0887-0624 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5029
- OpenAlex
- W4409247550
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2
- FWCI
- 0.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Energy & Fuels (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa e Inova??o do Esp?rito Santo (05/2018)
- AEGEA companies
- FLUXO
- CESAN
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Fluid Dynamics and Mixing
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production
- Keywords
- bubble column, gas-liquid mass transfer, CO2 transport, volumetric mass transfer coefficient, fine bubble diffusers, granular packing, biogas flow rate, liquid height, oxygen enrichment, high rate algal ponds, biogas potential
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