Production of Biogas from Olive Mill Waste Waters Treated by Cow Manure

The olive mill waste waters (OMWW) generated from olive oil extraction is a major environmental concern since they are characterized by their role as a pollutant (high organic and mineral matters) and their pH acid. The aim of this study was to valorize (OMWW) by anaerobic fermentation in the presence of cow manure in order to produce biogas and reduce their toxic load. Many tests were carried out by fermenting (OMWW) with polyphenols in the presence of cow manure in thermophile temperatures. The performance of this treatment was valuated through measurements of biogas production and by the determination of different parameters of fermented media (pH, volume of the biogas and polyphenols).

Towards Include Preservation of Vitamins in Fenugreek and Carob Seeds by the Instant Controlled Pressure-Drop Process (DIC Process)

Fenugreek and carob seed were germinated in the dark for 4 days and 15 days respectively. The two species are rich in vitamins A, B1, B3, B8. Germination promotes the increase in their concentrations. To ensure preservation and increased bioavailability of the vitamins, it is necessary to apply a DIC of 30s to 400 kPa making it possible to support the cellular expansion and the decontamination of germinated seeds. Vitamin A content in germinated carob seed increased by 82.54%, which is not the case for fenugreek. A decrease in vitamin A concentration of 4 μg/100 g of dry matter. DIC increase vitamin B1, B3 and B8 in germinated fenugreek seeds. A slight decrease of B vitamins in germinated carob seed after treatment with DIC has been noticed. This loss can be explained by the low bioavailability caused mainly by the botanical structures of the seeds.

Optimization of the Degradation of Hydroquinone, Resorcinol and Catechol Using Response Surface Methodology

A clay catalyst (montmorillonite and kaolinite) was prepared and used to degrade three phenolic compounds: hydroquinone, resorcinol and catechol obtained from the treatment the Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) generated in the production of olive oil. The operating conditions of the degradation of these compounds are optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) which is an experimental design used in process optimization studies. The results obtained by the catalytic tests and analyses performed by different techniques showed that the modified montmorillonites have very interesting catalytic, structural and textural properties;they are more effective for the catalytic phenolic compound degradation, they present the highest specific surface and they may support iron ions. We also determined the optimal degradation conditions by tracing the response surfaces of each compound;for example, for the catechol, the optimal conditions of degradation at pH 4 are obtained after 120 min at a concentration of H2O2 equal to 0.3 M. Of the three phenolic compounds, the kinetic degradation study revealed that the hydroquinone is the most degraded compound in the least amount of time. Finally, the rate of the catalyst iron ions release in the reaction is lower when the Fe-modified montmorillonites are used.