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6082086 
Journal Article 
Anaerobic digestion of grape pomace: Biochemical characterization of the fractions and methane production in batch and continuous digesters 
El Achkar, JH; Lendormi, T; Hobaika, Z; Salameh, D; Louka, N; Maroun, RG; Lanoisellé, JL 
2016 
1 
Waste Management
ISSN: 0956-053X
EISSN: 1879-2456 
50 
275-282 
English 
26944865 
WOS:000374362100027 
In this study, we have estimated the biogas and methane production from grape pomace (variety Cabernet Franc). The physical and chemical characteristics of the raw material were determined, and the structural polysaccharides were identified and analyzed by the Van Soest method. Batch anaerobic digestions were carried out to assess the methane production of the grape pomace, pulp and seeds. The obtained cumulative methane productions are 0.125, 0.165 and 0.052 Nm(3) kg COD(-1) for grape pomace, pulps and seeds, respectively. The effect of grinding on the methane potential of the substrates, as a mechanical pretreatment, was evaluated. We found that it increased the anaerobic biodegradability for grape pomace, pulp and seeds by 13.1%, 4.8% and 22.2%, respectively. On the other hand, the methane potential of the grape pomace was determined in a laboratory pilot plant (12L) continuously mixed with an organic loading rate of 2.5 kg COD m(3) d(-1) and a hydraulic retention time of 30 days. The corresponding biogas production was 6.43 × 10(-3) Nm(3) d(-1), with a methane content of 62.3%. Thus, the pilot plant's efficiency compared to that achieved in the batch process was 81.2%. Finally, a significant correlation was found between the biochemical content and methane production. 
Anaerobic digestion; By-product valorization; Grape pomace; Biodegradability; Batch to continuous reactor