Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study on large particles of printed circuit board wastes

Pyrolysis of large printed circuit board (PCB) waste particle was conducted on a specially designed laboratory-scale thermobalance (Macro-TG) with sample loading of 30 g under dynamic nitrogen atmosphere. The effects of heating rate (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C min^?1) and particle size (1 mm × 1 mm, 5 mm × 5 mm, 10 mm × 10 mm and 10 mm × 20 mm) were examined. To compare the different decomposition behavior of fine and large one, the thermal decomposition of PCB waste powder (approximately 5 mg) was also performed on a thermogravimetric analyzer (common TG) under various heating rates (10, 15, 20 and 40 °C min^?1) and particle size ranges (0.198–0.165 mm, 0.165–0.074 mm, 0.074–0.055 mm and 0.055–0.047 mm). Experimental results show that large particle has a pyrolysis reaction retardancy compared to fine one. The distributed activation energy model was used to study the pyrolysis kinetics. It was found that during pyrolysis process, values of frequency factor (k₀) changed with different activation energy (E) values. On common TG, the E values range from 156.95 to 319.37 kJ mol^?1 and k₀ values range from 2.67 × 10¹³ to 2.24 × 10²⁷ s^?1. While, on Macro-TG, the range of E was 31.48–41.26 kJ mol^?1 and of the frequency factor was 19.80–202.67 s^?1.     

Leaching behavior of copper from waste printed circuit boards with Brønsted acidic ionic liquid

In this work, a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim]HSO₄), was used to leach copper from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs, mounted with electronic components) for the first time, and the leaching behavior of copper was discussed in detail. The results showed that after the pre-treatment, the metal distributions were different with the particle size: Cu, Zn and Al increased with the increasing particle size; while Ni, Sn and Pb were in the contrary. And the particle size has significant influence on copper leaching rate. Copper leaching rate was higher than 99%, almost 100%, when 1 g WPCBs powder was leached under the optimum conditions: particle size of 0.1–0.25 mm, 25 mL 80% (v/v) ionic liquid, 10 mL 30% hydrogen peroxide, solid/liquid ratio of 1/25, 70 °C and 2 h. Copper leaching by [bmim]HSO₄ can be modeled with the shrinking core model, controlled by diffusion through a solid product layer, and the kinetic apparent activation energy has been calculated to be 25.36 kJ/mol.     

Evaluation of a recycling process for printed circuit board by physical separation and heat treatment

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) from discarded personal computer (PC) and hard disk drive were crushed by explosion in water or mechanical comminution in order to disintegrate the attached parts. More parts were stripped from PCB of PC, composed of epoxy resin; than from PCB of household appliance, composed of phenol resin.In an attempt to raise the copper grade of PCB by removing other components, a carbonization treatment was investigated. The crushed PCB without surface-mounted parts was carbonized under a nitrogen atmosphere at 873–1073 K. After screening, the char was classified by size into oversized pieces, undersized pieces and powder. The copper foil and glass fiber pieces were liberated and collected in undersized fraction. The copper foil was liberated easily from glass fiber by stamping treatment.As one of the mounted parts, the multi-layered ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), which contain nickel, were carbonized at 873 K. The magnetic separation is carried out at a lower magnetic field strength of 0.1 T and then at 0.8 T. In the +0.5 mm size fraction the nickel grade in magnetic product was increased from 0.16% to 6.7% and the nickel recovery is 74%.The other useful mounted parts are tantalum capacitors. The tantalum capacitors were collected from mounted parts. The tantalum-sintered bodies were separated from molded resins by heat treatment at 723–773 K in air atmosphere and screening of 0.5 mm. Silica was removed and 70% of tantalum grade was obtained after more than 823 K heating and separation.Next, the evaluation of Cu recycling in PCB is estimated. Energy consumption of new process increased and the treatment cost becomes 3 times higher comparing the conventional process, while the environmental burden of new process decreased comparing conventional process.The nickel recovery process in fine ground particles increased energy and energy cost comparing those of the conventional process. However, the environmental burden decreased than the conventional one.The process for recovering tantalum used more heat for the treatment and therefore the energy consumption increased by 50%, when comparing with conventional process. However, the market price for tantalum is very large; the profit for tantalum recovery is added. Also the environmental burden decreased by the recycling of tantalum recovery. Therefore, the tantalum recovery is very important step in the PCB recycling. If there is no tantalum, the consumed energy and treatment cost increase in the new process, though the environmental burden decreases.     

Energy-efficient modification of reduction-melting for lead recovery from cathode ray tube funnel glass

Lead can be recovered from funnel glass of waste cathode ray tubes via reduction melting. While low-temperature melting is necessary for reduced energy consumption, previously proposed methods required high melting temperatures (1400 °C) for the reduction melting. In this study, the reduction melting of the funnel glass was performed at 900–1000 °C using a lab-scale reactor with varying concentrations of Na₂CO₃ at different melting temperatures and melting times. The optimum Na₂CO₃ dosage and melting temperature for efficient lead recovery was 0.5 g per 1 g of the funnel glass and 1000 °C respectively. By the reduction melting with the mentioned conditions, 92% of the lead in the funnel glass was recovered in 60 min. However, further lead recovery was difficult because the rate of the lead recovery decreased as with the recovery of increasing quantity of the lead from the glass. Thus, the lead remaining in the glass after the reduction melting was extracted with 1 M HCl, and the lead recovery improved to 98%.     

Recycling PC and TV waste glass in clay bricks and roof tiles

Disposal of PC monitors and TV sets is a growing problem, with over 40% of the weight of these systems comprised of waste glasses with high Pb (funnel) or Ba–Sr concentrations (panel), making them unsuitable for recycling and manufacturing new glass. A possible way to re-use these glasses is in the manufacturing of clay bricks and roof tiles. This possibility was appraised by laboratory simulation of the brickmaking process and technological characterization of unfired and fired products. The recycling of both funnel and panel glasses into clay bodies is technologically feasible, resulting in a substantially reduced plasticity behaviour during shaping–drying (implying a reduction of mechanical strength), and a promotion of sintering during firing. No significant release of Pb, Ba, and Sr was observed during the firing and leaching test for the carbonate-poor body; in contrast, some Pb volatilization during firing and Sr leaching were observed for the carbonate-rich body. Additions of 2 wt.% appear to be practicable, while 5 wt.% glass induces unacceptable modifications of technological properties. The recommended amount is within 2 and 4 wt.%, depending on the characteristics of the clay bodies. The main constraint is that the glass must have a particle size below the limit of the pan mills used in brickmaking (<1 mm).     

Recycling of steel slag and glass cullet from energy saving lamps by fast firing production of ceramics

The paper reports on some experimental results obtained from the production of ceramics containing steel slag and glass cullet from exhaust energy saving lamps mixed in different proportions. Blending of components was done by attrition milling. Pressed powders were fast fired (50 min, cold to cold) in air up to several temperatures in the range 1000–1140 °C. The sintering behaviour was studied by shrinkage and water absorption measurements. Density, strength and hardness of the fired bodies were determined and XRD were examined. The fired samples were finally tested in acidic environment in order to evaluate their elution behaviour and consequently their possible environmental compatibility. It is observed that the composition containing 60 wt.% of steel slag and 40 wt.% of glass cullet displayed the best overall behaviour.     

Cylinder cyclone (LARCODEMS) density media separation of plastic wastes

Cylindrical cyclone media separators using a suspended calcite separation media simulating industrial scale operations are demonstrated to effectively separate a wide variety of forms and a greater range of particle sizes of plastics by density than presently recycled. Purities of plastic products and recoveries obtained from mixed plastic wastes are comparable to those reported for established separations. Products of ≈100% purity with recoveries of >99% were obtained for high density fractions and >98% purities and recoveries for the low density fractions. Cyclonic centrifugal forces and/or the fine particle size of the separation media appear to minimize hydroscopic and particle shape effects.A mathematical model is proposed for defining plastic waste feed rates and treatable particle size ranges for the LARCODEMS media separator.Waste plastic separations yielded Ecart probable (Ep) values ?0.024 for a water only separation media. The Ep for 1.1 g cm^?3 separation medias was <0.032 with minimal to no variation in values for 1–8 mm particle sizes. Variation in the quality of separations is shown to be minimal with <72 μm, <45 μm and <2 μm media particle sizes. Media density offset created varied according to particle size.     

Characteristics of mercury emission from linear type of spent fluorescent lamp

In order to recycle the linear type of SFL (spent fluorescent lamp), mercury from SFL should be controlled to prevent leaking into the environment. For mercury emission from SFL, mercury concentration is estimated in the parts of SFL such as glass tube, phosphor powder, and base cap using the end-cutting unit. It is also evaluated mercury emission in the effluent gas in the end-cutting unit with changing flow rate. From the results of mercury emission from SFLs, phosphor powder has greater than 80% of mercury amount in SFL and about 15% of mercury amount contained in glass tube. The initial mercury concentration in vapor phase is almost decreased linearly with increasing airflow rate from 0.7 L/min to 1.3 L/min. It is desirable that airflow rate should be high until the concentration of mercury vapor will be stable because the stabilized concentration becomes to be low and the stabilized time goes to be short as increased airflow rate. From KET and TCLP results, finally, phosphor powder should be managed as a hazardous waste but base-cap and glass are not classified as hazardous wastes.     

Microbial oxygen uptake in sludge as influenced by compost physical parameters

The wide range of optimal values reported for the physical parameters of compost mixtures suggest that their interactive relationships should be investigated. The objective of this study was to examine the microbial O₂ uptake rate (OUR) in 16 sludge waste recipes, offering a range of moisture content (MC), waste/bulking agent (W/BA) ratio and BA particle size levels determined using a central composite experimental design. The 3 kg samples were maintained at a constant temperature and aeration rate for 28 days, during which a respirometer recorded O₂ uptake to provide a measure of microbial activity and biodegradability. The cumulative O₂ consumption after 14 and 28 days was found to be significantly influenced by MC, W/BA ratio, BA particle size and the interaction between MC and W/BA ratio (p < 0.05). Using multivariate regression analysis, the experimental data was used to generate a model with good predictive ability for cumulative O₂ consumption after 28 days as a function of the significant physical variables (R² = 0.84). The prediction of O₂ uptake by the model depended highly on the interaction between MC and W/BA ratio. A MC outside of the traditional 50–60% (wet basis) range still resulted in a high level of microbial O₂ uptake as long as the W/BA ratio was adjusted to maintain a suitable O₂ exchange in the sample. The evolution of OUR in the samples was also investigated, uncovering strong associations between short and long-term respirometric indices, such as peak OUR and cumulative O₂ consumption (p < 0.005). Combining peak OUR data with cumulative O₂ consumption after 14 days allowed for accurate predictions of cumulative O₂ after 28 days of aeration (R² = 0.96), implying that future studies need only run trials up to 14 days to evaluate the overall O₂ consumption or biodegradability of similar sludge mixtures.     

Handling leachate from glass cullet stockpiles

Mixed glass cullet (crushed recycled glass containers) is stockpiled uncovered before use as roadway construction aggregate or daily cover in landfills. Rainwater that leaches through the stockpiles dissolves and suspends contaminants such as those from food residuals and paper labels. The objective of this study was to determine leachate quantity and quality from cullet stockpiles as a basis for development of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Four 35-tonne field stockpiles were set up for leachate analysis and to determine the effects of mechanical turning treatment on the leachate. Field-collected leachate and laboratory-generated washwater of cullet (water:cullet = 3:1 by weight) were both analyzed for basic wastewater parameters, which showed pollutant levels comparable to or higher than those of untreated domestic wastewater or urban stormwater. While organic contamination decreased substantially (e.g., washwater BOD > 95% reduction), TKN and total-phosphorus levels in leachate ranged between 11.6–154 mg L^?1 and 1.6–12.0 mg L^?1, respectively, and remained comparable to levels found in untreated domestic wastewater after four months. Turning enhanced the degradation of the organic constituents inside the stockpiles, which was confirmed by elevated temperatures. Based on this study, leachate from glass cullet stockpiles should not be released to surface water. For leachate from long-term cullet stockpiles, release to groundwater should be only done after treatment to reduce nitrogen levels.     

The applicability of different waste materials for the production of lightweight aggregates

The applicability of different waste materials for the production of lightweight aggregates has been studied. The following waste materials were investigated: silica sludge, superfluous clay in the quarry, waste glass, and residue from the polishing process of different types of stone. SiC and MnO₂ were selected as foaming agents. Feldspar containing minerals and scrap glass were added in order to lower the softening point of the waste materials. The granules were prepared by mixing together finely ground waste with one or both of the selected foaming agents. The granules were then fired at different temperatures above the softening point of the glassy phase within the temperature range from 1150 to 1220 °C, where the foaming agent degasses, and the resulting gasses remain trapped in the glassy structure. The foaming process was observed by hot-stage microscopy. The properties of the so-obtained granules, such as their apparent density and compressive strength, were determined, and their microstructures were evaluating using SEM and polarizing microscopy.With the addition to clay of polishing residue from granite-like rocks, after firing at 1220 °C homogeneously porous granules with a density down to 0.42 g/cm³ were obtained, whereas with the addition to waste silica sludge of polishing residue from granite-like rocks and waste glass with a foaming agent, after firing at 1220 °C densities from 0.57 to 0.82 g/cm³ were obtained.     

Recycling of Malaysia’s electric arc furnace (EAF) slag waste into heavy-duty green ceramic tile

Recently, various solid wastes from industry such as glass waste, fly ash, sewage sludge and slag have been recycled into various value-added products such as ceramic tile. The conventional solutions of dumping the wastes in landfills or incineration, including in Malaysia are getting obsolete as the annual huge amount of the solid wastes would boost-up disposal cost and may cause permanent damage to the flora and fauna. This recent waste recycling approach is much better and greener as it can resolve problems associated with over-limit storage of industrial wastes and reduce exploration of natural resources for ceramic tile to continuously sustain the nature. Therefore, in this project, an attempt was made to recycle electric arc furnace (EAF) slag waste, obtained from Malaysia’s steel making industry, into ceramic tile via conventional powder compaction method. The research work was divided into two stages. The first stage was to evaluate the suitability of EAF slag in ceramic tile by varying weight percentage of EAF slag (40 wt.%, 50 wt.% and 60 wt.%) and ball clay (40 wt.%, 50 wt.% and 60 wt.%), with no addition of silica and potash feldspar. In the second stage, the weight percentage of EAF slag was fixed at 40 wt.% and the percentage of ball clay (30 wt.% and 40 wt.%), feldspar (10 wt.% and 20 wt.%) and silica (10 wt.% and 20 wt.%) added was varied accordingly. Results obtained show that as weight percentage of EAF slag increased up to 60 wt.%, the percentage of apparent porosity and water absorption also rose, with a reduction in tile flexural strength and increased porosity. On the other hand, limiting the weight percentage of EAF slag to 40 wt.% while increasing the weight percentage of ball clay led to a higher total percentage of anorthite and wollastonite minerals, resulting in higher flexural strength. It was found that introduction of silica and feldspar further improved the flexural strength due to optimization of densification process. The highest flexural strength, lowest apparent porosity and water absorption of EAF slag based tile was attained at the composition of 40 wt.% EAF slag – 30 wt.% ball clay – 10 wt.% feldspar – 20 wt.% silica. The properties of ceramic tile made with EAF slag waste (up to 40 wt.%), especially flexural strength are comparable to those of commercial ceramic tile and are, therefore, suitable as high flexural strength and heavy-duty green ceramic floor tile. Continuous development is currently underway to improve the properties of tile so that this recycling approach could be one of the potential effective, efficient and sustainable solutions in sustaining our nature.     

A new method for evaluating the sewage sludge pyrolysis kinetics

A new method to simplify calculation the kinetics model is applied to sewage sludge pyrolysis based on the assumption that volatile run out as soon as it formed and during temperature arising process in this study. Difference method widely used to solve math problems is conducted to calculate kinetics parameters. Pyrolysis experiments are carried out at heating rates of 10, 15, 20, and 50 °C/min. All the TG curves are divided into three parts which are beginning decomposition temperature range, main decomposition temperature range, and final decomposition temperature range. The second one is employed to determine the parameters for more than 70% of the total mass loss occurs in this range. According to the developed method, the react order, reaction energy and pre-exponential factor are obtained, which are in the range of 3.9–4.1, 82.3–109.2 kJ/mol and 7.7 × 10⁶–2.8 × 10⁹/min, respectively, which are in the range of that reported previously. As a comparison experimental data with calculated data, the well fitting results indicate that this method is appropriate for simulating sludge pyrolysis kinetics.     

Semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion of orange peel waste and residual glycerol derived from biodiesel manufacturing

The manufacturing of orange juice generates high volumes of orange peel waste which should not be deposited in landfill according to current recommendations. Furthermore, glycerol is a compound co-generated in biodiesel manufacturing, but the volume generated is higher than the current demand for pure glycerol. The anaerobic co-digestion of orange peel waste with residual glycerol could reduce the inhibitory effect of some compounds and provide a correct nutrient balance. Under mesophilic temperature and semi-continuous conditions, a mixture of orange peel waste-residual glycerol of 1:1 (in COD) operated favorably for organic loads up to 2.10 g VS/L. At higher organic loads, the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and a decrease in the pH caused process destabilization. The methane yield coefficient was quite constant, with a mean value of 330 ± 51 mL_STP/g VS_added, while the organic loading rate (OLR) reached a mean value of 1.91 ± 0.37 kg VS/m³ d (17.59 ± 2.78 kg mixture/m³ d) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied in a range of 8.5–30.0 d.     

Recovery of valuable materials from waste liquid crystal display panel

Associated with the rapid development of the information and electronic industry, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have been increasingly sold as displays. However, during the discarding at their end-of-life stage, significant environmental hazards, impacts on health and a loss of resources may occur, if the scraps are not managed in an appropriate way. In order to improve the efficiency of the recovery of valuable materials from waste LCDs panel in an environmentally sound manner, this study presents a combined recycling technology process on the basis of manual dismantling and chemical treatment of LCDs. Three key processes of this technology have been studied, including the separation of LCD polarizing film by thermal shock method the removal of liquid crystals between the glass substrates by the ultrasonic cleaning, and the recovery of indium metal from glass by dissolution. The results show that valuable materials (e.g. indium) and harmful substances (e.g. liquid crystals) could be efficiently recovered or separated through above-mentioned combined technology. The optimal conditions are: (1) the peak temperature of thermal shock to separate polarizing film, ranges from 230 to 240 °C, where pyrolysis could be avoided; (2) the ultrasonic-assisted cleaning was most efficient at a frequency of 40 KHz (P = 40 W) and the exposure of the substrate to industrial detergents for 10 min; and (3) indium separation from glass in a mix of concentrated hydrochloric acid at 38% and nitric acid at 69% (HCl:HNO₃:H₂O = 45:5:50, volume ratio). The indium separation process was conducted with an exposure time of 30 min at a constant temperature of 60 °C.     

Ultrasound pretreatment of filamentous algal biomass for enhanced biogas production

The filamentous alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum harvested from a bench-scale wastewater treatment pond was used to evaluate biogas production after ultrasound pretreatment. The effects of ultrasound pretreatment at a range of 10–5000 J/mL were tested with harvested H. reticulatum. Cell disruption by ultrasound was successful and showed a higher degree of disintegration at a higher applied energy. The range of 10–5000 J/mL ultrasound was able to disintegrated H. reticulatum and the soluble COD was increased from 250 mg/L to 1000 mg/L at 2500 J/mL. The disintegrated algal biomass was digested for biogas production in batch experiments. Both cumulative gas generation and volatile solids reduction data were obtained during the digestion. Cell disintegration due to ultrasound pretreatment increased the specific biogas production and degradation rates. Using the ultrasound approach, the specific methane production at a dose of 40 J/mL increased up to 384 mL/g-VS fed that was 2.3 times higher than the untreated sample. For disintegrated samples, the volatile solids reduction was greater with increased energy input, and the degradation increased slightly to 67% at a dose of 50 J/mL. The results also indicate that disintegration of the algal cells is the essential step for efficient anaerobic digestion of algal biomass.     

Impact of different particle size distributions on anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Particle size may significantly affect the speed and stability of anaerobic digestion, and matching the choice of particle size reduction equipment to digester type can thus determine the success or failure of the process. In the current research the organic fraction of municipal solid waste was processed using a combination of a shear shredder, rotary cutter and wet macerator to produce streams with different particle size distributions. The pre-processed waste was used in trials in semi-continuous ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ digesters at organic loading rate (OLR) up to 6 kg volatile solids (VS) m^?3 day^?1. The results indicated that while difference in the particle size distribution did not change the specific biogas yield, the digester performance was affected. In the ‘dry’ digesters the finer particle size led to acidification and ultimately to process failure at the highest OLR. In ‘wet’ digestion a fine particle size led to severe foaming and the process could not be operated above 5 kg VS m^?3 day^?1. Although the trial was not designed as a direct comparison between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ digestion, the specific biogas yield of the ‘dry’ digesters was 90% of that produced by ‘wet’ digesters fed on the same waste at the same OLR.     

Performance evaluation of a completely stirred anaerobic reactor treating pig manure at a low range of mesophilic conditions

Many Chinese biogas plants run in the lower range of mesophilic conditions. This study evaluated the performance of a completely stirred anaerobic reactor treating pig manure at different temperatures (20, 28 and 38 °C). The start-up phase of the reactor at 20 °C was very long and extremely poor performance was observed with increasing organic loading rate (OLR). At an OLR of 4.3 g ODM L^?1 d^?1, methane production at 28 °C was comparable (3% less) with that at 38 °C, but the risk of acidification was high at 28 °C. At low OLR (1.3 g ODM L^?1 d^?1), the biogas process appeared stable at 28 °C and gave same methane yields as compared to the reactor operating at 38 °C. The estimated sludge yield at 28 °C was 0.065 g VSS g^?1 COD_removed, which was higher than that at 38 °C (0.016 g VSS g^?1 COD_removed).     

Influence of moisture content,particle size and forming temperature on productivity and quality of rice straw pellets

A large amount of rice straw is generated and left as much in paddy fields, which causes greenhouse gas emissions as methane. Rice straw can be used as bioenergy. Rice straw pellets are a promising technology because pelletization of rice straw is a form of mass and energy densification, which leads to a product that is easy to handle, transport, store and utilize because of the increase in the bulk density. The operational conditions required to produce high quality rice straw pellets have not been determined. This study determined the optimal moisture content range required to produce rice straw pellets with high yield ratio and high heating value, and also determined the influence of particle size and the forming temperature on the yield ratio and durability of rice straw pellets. The optimal moisture content range was between 13% and 20% under a forming temperature of 60 or 80 °C. The optimal particle size was between 10 and 20 mm, considering the time and energy required for shredding, although the particle size did not significantly affect the yield ratio and durability of the pellets. The optimized conditions provided high quality rice straw pellets with nearly 90% yield ratio, ?12 MJ/kg for the lower heating value, and >95% durability.     

Evaluation of the methanogenic step of a two-stage anaerobic digestion process of acidified olive mill solid residue from a previous hydrolytic–acidogenic step

A study of the second step or methanogenic stage of a two-stage anaerobic digestion process treating two-phase olive oil mill solid residue (OMSR) was conducted at mesophilic temperature (35 °C). The substrate fed to the methanogenic step was the effluent from a hydrolytic–acidogenic reactor operating at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 12.9 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) L^?1 d^?1 and at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12.4 days; these OLR and HRT were found to be the best values to achieve the maximum total volatile fatty acid concentration (14.5 g L^?1 expressed as acetic acid) with a high concentration in acetic acid (57.5% of the total concentration) as the principal precursor of methane. The methanogenic stage was carried out in an anaerobic stirred tank reactor containing saponite as support media for the immobilization of microorganisms. OLRs of between 0.8 and 22.0 g COD L^?1 d^?1 were studied. These OLRs corresponded to HRTs of between 142.9 and 4.6 days. The methanogenic reactor operated with high stability for OLRs lower than 20.0 g COD L^?1 d^?1. This behaviour was shown by the total volatile fatty acids/total alkalinity ratio, whose values were always kept ?0.12 for HRTs > 4.6 days. The total COD (T-COD) removed was in the range of 94.3–61.3% and the volatile solids (VS) removed between 92.8% and 56.1% for OLRs between 0.8 and 20.0 g COD L^?1 d^?1. In the same way, a reduction of 43.8% was achieved for phenolic content. The low concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) observed (below 1 g L^?1 expressed as CH₃COOH) in the methanogenic reactor effluents showed the high percentage of consumption and conversion of these acids to methane. A methane yield of 0.268 ± 0.003 L CH₄ at standard temperature and pressure conditions (STP) g^?1 COD eliminated was achieved.