Nutrient release from fish silage using microwave-enhanced advanced oxidation process

Abstract

The microwave-enhanced advanced oxidation process was used to treat fish silage for nutrient release and solids reduction prior to its use as a fertilizer for greenhouse operations. Fifteen sets of experiments with varying hydrogen peroxide dosages and treatment temperatures were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the process on the solubilization of fertilizer constituents. It was found that up to 26% of total Kjeldahl nitrogen could be released as ammonia with 6% hydrogen peroxide dosage at 170°C. An increase of nitrate/nitrite concentration was observed with higher hydrogen peroxide dosage and higher microwave temperature; the highest concentration of 10.2 mg L^{− 1} nitrates/nitrites was achieved at at 170°C and 6% H₂O₂ dosage. Up to 20 ± 9.5% of total chemical oxygen demand was reduced at temperatures between 120 and 170°C. Large quantities of volatile fatty acids were generated at lower temperatures, corresponding to an increase in soluble chemical oxygen demand, but not at higher temperatures. The treatment of fish silage using the microwave-enhanced advanced oxidation process appears to be promising.

Keywords:

• Microwave
• advanced oxidation process
• solids reduction
• nutrient release
• fish silage

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the research funding by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), as well as the technical assistance provided by Paula Parkinson.