Optimization of anaerobic digestion of nitrogen-rich substrates through ammonia recovery using membranes

To mitigate ammonium inhibition in anaerobic digestion, the use of gas- permeable membranes (GPM) made of ePTFE was tested. Two semi-continuous stirred tank reactors at the laboratory scale were operated with swine manure and urea as a source of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). One reactor was equipped with GPM, while the other served as a control. The activation of the GPM system reduced FA and restored methane production. GPM has proven to be a promising strategy for maintaining reactors subjected to high TAN concentrations, allowing for the reduction of FA and the recovery of MY.