scholarly journals Evaluation of acidogenic sludge from anaerobic reactors running at low solids retention times to reduce sludge generation and enhance biogas production

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
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Kinetic Constant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Primary Sludge ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Solids Retention ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Pre Treatment

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.

Alkali pre-treatment of Sorghum Moench for biogas production

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Michalska ◽  
Stanisław Ledakowicz
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Chemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Methane Generation ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Alkali Hydrolysis ◽  
Almost All

AbstractThis work studies the influence of the alkali pre-treatment of Sorghum Moench — a representative of energy crops used in biogas production. Solutions containing various concentrations of sodium hydroxide were used to achieve the highest degradation of lignocellulosic structures. The results obtained after chemical pre-treatment indicate that the use of NaOH leads to the removal of almost all lignin (over 99 % in the case of 5 mass % NaOH) from the biomass, which is a prerequisite for efficient anaerobic digestion. Several parameters, such as chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, total phenolic content, volatile fatty acids, and general nitrogen were determined in the hydrolysates thus obtained in order to define the most favourable conditions. The best results were obtained for the Sorghum treated with 5 mass % NaOH at 121°C for 30 min The hydrolysate thus achieved consisted of high total phenolic compounds concentration (ca. 4.7 g L−1) and chemical oxygen demand value (ca. 45 g L−1). Although single alkali hydrolysis causes total degradation of glucose, a combined chemical and enzymatic pre-treatment of Sorghum leads to the release of large amounts of this monosaccharide into the supernatant. This indicates that alkali pre-treatment does not lead to complete cellulose destruction. The high degradation of lignin structure in the first step of the pre-treatment rendered the remainder of the biomass available for enzymatic action. A comparison of the efficiency of biogas production from untreated Sorghum and Sorghum treated with the use of NaOH and enzymes shows that chemical hydrolysis improves the anaerobic digestion effectiveness and the combined pre-treatment could have great potential for methane generation.

Effect of Ultrasonic Pretreatment for the Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge

2012 ◽  
Vol 531 ◽  
pp. 528-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Wei
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Ultrasonic Pretreatment ◽  
Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Settling Characteristics

Anaerobic digestion is an economic and environmentally friendly technology for treating the biomass material-sewage sludge, but has some limitations, such as the low efficient biogass production. In this paper ultrasound was proposed as pre-treatment for effective sludge anaerobic digestion. Sludge anaerobic digestion experiments with ultrasonic pretreatment was investigated. It can be seen that this treatment effectively leaded to the increase of soluble chemical oxygen demand(SCOD) and volatile fatty acids(VFA)concentration. High concentration of VFA leaded to a increase in biogas production. Besides, the SV of sludge was reduced and the settling characteristics of sludge was improved after ultrasonic pretreatment. It can be concluded that sludge anaerobic digestion with ultrasonic pretreatment is an effective method for biomass material transformation.

Sludge electrooxidation as pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Barrios ◽  
U. Duran ◽  
A. Cano ◽  
M. Cisneros-Ortiz ◽  
S. Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Wastewater Sludge ◽  
Boron Doped Diamond ◽  
Boron Doped ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
Pre Treatment

Anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge is the preferred method for sludge treatment as it produces energy in the form of biogas as well as a stabilised product that may be land applied. Different pre-treatments have been proposed to solubilise organic matter and increase biogas production. Sludge electrooxidation with boron-doped diamond electrodes was used as pre-treatment for waste activated sludge (WAS) and its effect on physicochemical properties and biomethane potential (BMP) was evaluated. WAS with 2 and 3% total solids (TS) achieved 2.1 and 2.8% solubilisation, respectively, with higher solids requiring more energy. After pre-treatment, biodegradable chemical oxygen demand values were close to the maximum theoretical BMP, which makes sludge suitable for energy production. Anaerobic digestion reduced volatile solids (VS) by more than 30% in pre-treated sludge with a food to microorganism ratio of 0.15 g VSfed g−1 VSbiomass. Volatile fatty acids were lower than those for sludge without pre-treatment. Best pre-treatment conditions were 3% TS and 28.6 mA cm−2.

Ultrasound pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion improvement

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1525-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Pérez-Elvira ◽  
M. Fdz-Polanco ◽  
F. I. Plaza ◽  
G. Garralón ◽  
F. Fdz-Polanco
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Specific Energy ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Laboratory Scale ◽  
Net Generation ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Pre Treatment

Prior research indicates that ultrasounds can be used in batch reactors as pre-treatment before anaerobic digestion, but the specific energy required at laboratory-scale is too high. This work evaluates both the continuous ultrasound device performance (efficiency and solubilisation) and the operation of anaerobic digesters continuously fed with sonicated sludge, and presents energy balance considerations. The results of sludge solubilisation after the sonication treatment indicate that, applying identical specific energy, it is better to increase the power than the residence time. Working with secondary sludge, batch biodegradability tests show that by applying 30 kWh/m3 of sludge, it is possible to increase biogas production by 42%. Data from continuous pilot-scale anaerobic reactors (V=100 L) indicate that operating with a conventional HRT = 20 d, a reactor fed with pre-treated sludge increases the volatile solids removal and the biogas production by 25 and 37% respectively. Operating with HRT = 15 d, the removal efficiency is similar to the obtained with a reactor fed with non-hydrolysed sludge at HTR = 20 d, although the specific biogas productivity per volume of reactor is higher for the pretreated sludge. Regarding the energy balance, although for laboratory-scale devices it is negative, full-scale suppliers state a net generation of 3–10 kW per kW of energy used.

scholarly journals Inter-stage thermophilic aerobic digestion may increase organic matter removal from wastewater sludge without decreasing biogas production

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-726
Author(s):  
Sasha D. Hafner ◽  
Johan T. Madsen ◽  
Johanna M. Pedersen ◽  
Charlotte Rennuit
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Wastewater Sludge ◽  
Aerobic Digestion ◽  
Anaerobic Digesters ◽  
Stage System ◽  
Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Combining aerobic and anaerobic digestion in a two-stage system can improve the degradation of wastewater sludge over the use of either technology alone. But use of aerobic digestion as a pre-treatment before anaerobic digestion generally reduces methane production due to loss of substrate through oxidation. An inter-stage configuration may avoid this reduction in methane production. Here, we evaluated the use of thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) as an inter-stage treatment for wastewater sludge using laboratory-scale semi-continuous reactors. A single anaerobic digester was compared to an inter-stage system, where a thermophilic aerobic digester (55 °C) was used between two mesophilic anaerobic digesters (37 °C). Both systems had retention times of approximately 30 days, and the comparison was based on measurements made over 97 days. Results showed that the inter-stage system provided better sludge destruction (52% volatile solids (VS) removal vs. 40% for the single-stage system, 44% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal vs. 34%) without a decrease in total biogas production (methane yield per g VS added was 0.22–0.24 L g−1 for both systems).

Sludge accumulation and conversion to methane in a septic tank treating domestic wastewater or black water

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 956-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Elmitwalli
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Black Water ◽  
Operational Temperature ◽  
Filling Time ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Sludge Accumulation

Although the septic tank is the most applied on-site system for wastewater pre-treatment, limited research has been performed to determine sludge accumulation and biogas production in the tank. Therefore a dynamic mathematical model based on the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) was developed for anaerobic digestion of the accumulated sludge in a septic tank treating domestic wastewater or black water. The results showed that influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the tank mainly control the filling time with sludge, while operational temperature governs characteristics of the accumulated sludge and conversion to methane. For obtaining stable sludge and high conversion, the tank needs to be operated for a period more than a year without sludge wasting. Maximum conversion to methane in the tank is about 50 and 60% for domestic wastewater and black water, respectively. The required period for sludge wasting depends on the influent COD concentration and the HRT, while characteristics of the wasted sludge are affected by operational temperature followed by the influent COD concentration and the HRT. Sludge production from the tank ranges between 0.19 to 0.22 and 0.13 to 0.15 L/(person.d), for the domestic wastewater and black water, respectively.

scholarly journals Anaerobic Digestion of Steam-Exploded Wheat Straw and Co-Digestion Strategies for Enhanced Biogas Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 8284
Author(s):  
Fokion Kaldis ◽  
Denise Cysneiros ◽  
James Day ◽  
Kimon-Andreas G. Karatzas ◽  
Afroditi Chatzifragkou
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Steam Explosion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Pre Treatment

Wheat straw (WS) is considered a favourable substrate for biogas production. However, due to its rigid structure and high carbon to nitrogen (C/N ratio), its biodegradability during anaerobic digestion (AD) is usually low. In the present study, the effect of steam explosion pre-treatment on WS, combined with C/N adjustment with inorganic nitrogen, on biogas production was evaluated. Additionally, co-digestion of WS with protein-rich agri-industrial by-products (dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) and rapeseed meal (RM)) was assessed. Steam explosion enhanced biogas production from WS, whereas the addition of NH4Cl was beneficial (p < 0.05) for the digestion of steam-exploded wheat straw (SE). Furthermore, mono-digestion of the four different substrates seemed to be efficient in both inoculum to substrate ratios (I/S) tested (3.5 and 1.75 (w/w)). Finally, during co-digestion of WS and SE with DDGS and RM, an increase in the cumulative methane production was noted when higher amounts of DDGS and RM were co-digested. This study demonstrated that DDGS and RM can be used as an AD supplement to stimulate gas production and improve wheat straw biodegradability, while their addition at 10% on an AD system operating with WS can enhance gas yields at levels similar to those achieved by steam-exploded straw.

The role of pH in the organic material solubilization of domestic sludge in anaerobic digestion

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Yangin Gomec ◽  
R.E. Speece
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Chemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ph Control ◽  
Primary Sludge ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ph Controlled

The effect of pH on anaerobic solubilization of domestic primary sludge and activated sludge was investigated and compared. Anaerobic solubilization was carried out in continuously stirred anaerobic reactors at mesophilic temperature (35°C) and pH was fixed at 6.5 (pH-controlled). Many researches reported the serious effects of pH on the solubilization of organic materials. Thus, the aim of pH control in the reactors consisting of domestic primary and activated sludges, was the evaluation of retardation in hydrolysis/acidogenesis at low pH values. Since primary and activated sludges have different biodegradation characteristics, results were compared. Results indicated that the destruction of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS) were better in the pH-controlled reactors. In both sludges, acetic acid was the main Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) produced. In the pH-controlled reactors, VSS reduction was found to be 72% in about 20 days in the anaerobic digestion of activated sludge, whereas for the same interval VSS reduction could only be achieved by 32% in primary sludge at 35°C. When primary sludge was used as substrate, the pH-uncontrolled and the pH-controlled reactors removed VSS with a corresponding production of VFAs and Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand (SCOD). However, production of VFAs and SCOD was ceased after 5 days in the pH-controlled reactor whereas VFAs and SCOD production continued after 5 days in the pH-uncontrolled reactor, which indicated that hydrolysis and fermentation did not complete and continued longer. On the other hand; in either the pH-uncontrolled or the pH-controlled reactor of activated sludge, VSS was not removed with a corresponding production of VFAs and Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand (SCOD). It was apparent that solubilization was occurring, however this solubilization was not observed as VFA production. When total methane production and total COD (CODtot) removal were estimated using VSS removal in both types of sludges, results indicated that pH control enhanced biogas productions as well as CODtot removals.

scholarly journals An experimental study on Bio-gas production by anaerobic digestion of RiceMill Wastewater (RMW)

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Anaerobic Digester ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Mesophilic Temperature ◽  
Rice Mill Wastewater

<p>With the rising interest for sustainable power source and ecological security, anaerobic digestion of biogas technology has attracted considerable attention within the scientific researchers. This paper proposes a new research achievement on biogas production from Rice Mill Wastewater (RMW) with the utilization of anaerobic digester. An anaerobic digester is maintained with RMW and distillery anaerobic sludge at mesophilic temperature condition for 15 days as stabilization mode. After attaining stabilization stage, studies continued to examine the effect of Organic Loading Rate (OLR) and Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) on the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of RMW. The OLR of the anaerobic reactor increased stepwise from 0.25 to 3.91 Kg COD/m3/dayand HRT ranged from 1 to 32.0 days. The total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) utilized was higher than 75% and the CH4 percentage of the biogas was 62.00-63.00% for the OLRs studied. The efficient working volume of the digester is preserved as 25% of distillery anaerobic sludge and 75% of rice mill wastewater, loaded at Mesophilic temperature conditions for study purpose. By changing the conditions of OLR and HRT, biogas production, methane yield and percentage of COD reduction is examined. An anaerobic sludge is utilized as a seeding material to biodegrade the organic pollutants present in the wastewater. It will enhance the biological treatment of effluent with anaerobic sludge in a continuous mode of activity.The result showed that the proposed analysis obtains more biogas production with reduced COD when compared with existing approaches.</p>

A modified anaerobic digestion process with chemical sludge pre-treatment and its modelling

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 2350-2356 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Hai ◽  
S. Sakamoto ◽  
V. C. Le ◽  
H. S. Kim ◽  
R. Goel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Simulation Accuracy ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
Pre Treatment

Activated Sludge Models (ASMs) assume an unbiodegradable organic particulate fraction in the activated sludge, which is derived from the decay of active microorganisms in the sludge and/or introduced from wastewater. In this study, a seasonal change of such activated sludge constituents in a municipal wastewater treatment plant was monitored for 1.5 years. The chemical oxygen demand ratio of the unbiodegradable particulates to the sludge showed a sinusoidal pattern ranging from 40 to 65% along with the change of water temperature in the plant that affected the decay rate. The biogas production in a laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) process was also affected by the unbiodegradable fraction in the activated sludge fed. Based on the results a chemical pre-treatment using H2O2 was conducted on the digestate to convert the unbiodegradable fraction to a biodegradable one. Once the pre-treated digestate was returned to the digester, the methane conversion increased up to 80% which was about 2.4 times as much as that of the conventional AD process, whilst 96% of volatile solids in the activated sludge was digested. From the experiment, the additional route of the organic conversion processes for the inert fraction at the pre-treatment stage was modelled on the ASM platform with reasonable simulation accuracy.

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