Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023)

Management and disposal of waste poses a challenge for many industries in complying with environmental regulations. Adding value to the waste materials generated from industries would be economically beneficial for industries. There is a need for effective and sustainable infrastructure that has potential to add value to waste materials through the extraction of valuable products. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are becoming popular compared to conventional anaerobic bioreactors, especially for the treatment of biodegradable industrial waste with high solids content, because of their ability to retain a high quantity of active biomass for a longer duration, produce lower quantities of sludge, and superior quality of effluent with smaller footprints. The main aim of the proposed research is to advance the application of AnMBRs through the development of innovative configurations for the treatment and value addition to biodegradable, high-solids, and starch-based potato processing wastes. Its feasibility with respect to efficiency, yield of valuable products (lactic acid and bioenergy), and membrane performance will be investigated in this project. The results of the proposed research will further strengthen and advance an on-going innovation in AnMBRs in collaboration with a Canadian industry for a commercially viable and sustainable application of membrane-integrated anaerobic bioreactor technology in the area of value-added management of industrial wastes, particularly those generated from food processing and pulp production industries.