Enhanced anaerobic digestion of tannery primary sludge using pre-treatment techniques

Author(s):  
S.V. Srinivasan ◽  
Vineetha Antony ◽  
P.C. Sabumon
2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 690-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángeles Val Del Río ◽  
Tania Palmeiro-Sanchez ◽  
Mónica Figueroa ◽  
Anuska Mosquera-Corral ◽  
José L Campos ◽  
...  

Water SA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (4 October) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilza Da Silva Lopes ◽  
Ysa Helena Diniz Morais de Luna ◽  
Jose Tavares de Sousa ◽  
Wilton Silva Lopes ◽  
Valderi Duarte Leite

ABSTRACT   Sludges generated in the biological processing of sewage are complex mixtures, the constituents of which pose risks to public health and the environment. Anaerobic digestion is considered the most sustainable option for treating sludge because it offers the possibility of generating biogas. The aim of this study was to compare the quantities, properties, biodegradabilities and biochemical methane potentials (BMP) of primary sludge (PS) generated by a primary decanter with acidogenic sludges produced by upflow anaerobic (UA) reactors operating at solids retention times (SRTs) of 2, 4, 6 and 8 days (Samples S2, S4, S6 and S8, respectively). Sludges from both pre-treatments were submitted to alkaline solubilization in order to determine the efficiency of the process in disrupting extracellular complexes. Based on the levels of total solids (TS) present, the primary decanter was found to generate higher quantities of excess sludge (yield of 3.1 gTS∙d-1) than UA reactors operating at low SRTs (yields in the range 1.69 to 0.64 gTS∙d-1). The concentrations of dissolved materials in PS and Samples S2 and S8 were considerably higher after alkaline solubilization, with respective increases of 8, 14 and 28-fold in dissolved organic carbon, 12, 20 and 40-fold in chemical oxygen demand, 25, 31 and 59-fold in proteins, and 17, 21 and 63-fold in carbohydrates. In addition, the BMP value for S8 was some 13% higher than that recorded for PS while the kinetic constant for gas production by S8 was 1.8-fold greater than that of PS. It is concluded that a pre-treatment combining anaerobic digestion at low SRT and alkaline solubilisation would lead to improved performance in subsequent stages of anaerobic digestion and, consequently, increased efficiency in biogas production.


2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.V. Skiadas ◽  
H.N. Gavala ◽  
J. Lu ◽  
B.K. Ahring

In general, mesophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge is more widely used compared to thermophilic digestion, mainly because of the lower energy requirements and higher stability of the process. However, the thermophilic anaerobic digestion process is usually characterised by accelerated biochemical reactions and higher growth rate of microorganisms resulting in an increased methanogenic potential at lower hydraulic retention times. Furthermore, thermal pre-treatment is suitable for the improvement of stabilization and could be realized at relatively low cost especially at low temperatures. The present study investigates the effect of the pre-treatment at 70 °C on thermophilic (55 °C) anaerobic digestion of primary and secondary sludge in continuously operated digesters. Thermal pre-treatment of primary and secondary sludge at 70 °C enhanced the removal of organic matter and the methane production during the subsequent anaerobic digestion step at 55 °C. It also greatly contributed to the destruction of pathogens present in primary sludge. Finally it results in enhanced microbial activities of the subsequent anaerobic step suggesting that the same efficiencies in organic matter removal and methane recovery could be obtained at lower HRTs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 138 ◽  
pp. 765-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rodriguez ◽  
A. Alaswad ◽  
J. Mooney ◽  
T. Prescott ◽  
A.G. Olabi

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Moeller-Chávez ◽  
S. González-Martínez

The rate-limiting step during anaerobic digestion is the hydrolysis of the particulate organic matter and methanogenesis. Certain elements, such as iron, nickel and cobalt and some growth factors such as coenzymes are needed for the adequate growth of the organisms. The main objective of this research was to enhance anaerobic digestion of primary sludge combining thermal and alkaline pre-treatment with stimulation of the methanogenic activity by adding yeast extract. Primary sludge was exposed, separately, to alkaline and thermal pre-treatment procedures. After this pre-treatment, different amounts of yeast extract were added to the sludge. The best COD, TSS and VSS removal rates were observed without pre-treatment and with the addition of 0.1% in weight of yeast extract. The highest specific methane production was obtained with thermal pre-treatment and 0.1% yeast addition. A second experimental stage was run for a closer analysis of the preliminary results. Thermal pre-treatment and 0.1% yeast addition was tested. The best results regarding both COD, TSS and VSS removal rates and methane production were obtained without thermal pre-treatment and with addition of yeast extract. The calculated F-values for the ANOVA-test show that the main influencing factor was the addition of yeast extract where the Biochemical Methane Production was doubled compared with the blank. The highest values for the hydrolysis constants were obtained at hydraulic retention times of six days after adding 0.1% of yeast extract.


1973 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Jack ◽  
G.J. Farquhar ◽  
G.M. Cornwall

Abstract The importance of phosphorus as a nutrient in the eutrophication of lakes and rivers has been well established (Fruh 1967). It has been shown in addition that a significant amount of this phosphorus arises from the discharge of treated and untreated municipal wastewater (Task Group Report 1967). Consequently, measures are being taken, notably in the Province of Ontario, for removal of phosphorus from wastewater by means of chemical precipitation. Chemicals exhibiting satisfactory phosphorus removal include lime, iron compounds and aluminum compounds (Leckie and Stumm 1970; Schmid 1968; Wuhrman 1968).


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Barrios ◽  
A. Cano ◽  
F. F. Rivera ◽  
M. E. Cisneros ◽  
U. Durán

Abstract Background Most of the organic content of waste activated sludge (WAS) comprises microbial cells hard to degrade, which must be pre-treated for energy recovery by anaerobic digestion (AD). Electrooxidation pre-treatment (EOP) with boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode have been considered a promising novel technology that increase hydrolysis rate, by the disintegrating cell walls from WAS. Although electrochemical oxidation could efficiently solubilize organic substances of macromolecules, limited reports are available on EOP of WAS for improving AD. In this endeavour, the mathematical optimization study and the energy analysis of the effects of initial total solids concentrations [TS] of WAS and current density (CD) during EOP on the methane production and removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS) were investigated. Because limited reports are available on EOP of WAS for improving biogas production, it is not well understood; however, it has started to attract interest of scientists and engineers. Results In the present work, the energy recovery as biogas and WAS conversion were comprehensively affected by CD and [TS], in an integrated EOP and AD system. When working with WAS at 3% of [TS] pre-treated at current density of 24.1 mA/cm2, the highest COD and VS removal were achieved, making it possible to obtain the maximum methane (CH4) production of 305 N-L/kg VS and a positive energy balance of 1.67 kWh/kg VS. Therefore, the current densities used in BDD electrode are adequate to produce the strong oxidant (hydroxyl radical, ·OH) on the electrode surface, allow the oxidation of organic compounds that favours the solubilization of particulate matter and VS from WAS. Conclusions The improvement of VS removal and COD solubilization were due to the effects of pre-treatments, which help to break down the microbial cells for faster subsequent degradation; this allows a decomposition reaction that leads to biodegrade more compounds during AD. The balance was positive, suggesting that even without any optimization the energy used as electricity could be recovered from the increased methane production. It is worth noting that this kind of analysis have not been sufficiently studied so far. It is therefore important to understand how operational parameters can influence the pre-treatment and AD performances. The current study highlights that the mathematical optimization and energy analysis can make the whole process more convenient and feasible.


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