Process optimization and effect of thermal, alkaline, H2O2 Oxidation and combination pre-treatment of sewage sludge on solubilisation and anaerobic digestion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salar Siami ◽  
Behnoush Aminzadeh ◽  
Razieh Karimi ◽  
Seyed Mostafa Hallaji
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Response Surface Methodology ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Quadratic Model ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Background This study investigated the feasibility of enhancing anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge with triple, dual, and individual pre-treatment of waste activated sludge with heat, alkalinity, and hydrogen peroxide. These pre-treatments disrupt sludge flocs, organisms’ cell walls, extracellular polymeric substance, and intracellular organic matter, which increase biodegradability and hydrolysis rate of organic matter. In addition, the influence of various variables on methane production was analyzed using the response surface methodology with the quadratic model. Eventually, an optimized temperature and chemical concentration for the highest methane production and lowest chemical usage is suggested.Results The highest amount of methane production was obtained from the sludge pretreated with triple pretreatment (heat (90°C), alkalinity (pH=12), and hydrogen peroxide (30 mg H2O2 /g TS)), which had better performance with 96% higher than that of the control sample with Temperature of 25°C approximately and alkalinity of pH=8. Response surface methodology with the quadratic model was also used for analyzing the influence of temperature, pH, and hydrogen peroxide concentration on anaerobic digestion efficiency. It was revealed that the optimized temperature, pH, and hydrogen peroxide concentration for maximizing methane production and solubilisation of organic matter and minimizing thermal energy and chemical additives of the pre-treatments are 83.2°C, pH=10.6 and 34.8 mg H2O2 /g TS, respectively, has the desirability of 0.67.Conclusion This study reveals that triple pre-treatment of waste activated sludge performs better than dual and individual pre-treatment, Respectively. The enhanced methane production can be used as an important renewable energy resource in wastewater treatment plants for producing electrical and thermal energy. Furthermore, exploiting a higher amount of methane in the anaerobic digestion stage decreases methane emission to the atmosphere in dewatering and landfilling stages and enhances the quality of digested sludge, bringing about environmentally friendly and economically attractive sewage sludge treatment process.

scholarly journals The synergy of combined free nitrous acid and Fenton technology in enhancing anaerobic digestion of real sewage waste activated sludge

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razieh Karimi ◽  
Seyed Mostafa Hallaji
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Nitrous Acid ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Free Nitrous Acid ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Background Recently, free nitrous acid (FNA) pre-treatment of sewage waste activated sludge has been introduced as an economically attractive and environmentally friendly technique for enhancing methane production from the anaerobic digestion process. Fenton pre-treatment of sewage sludge, as an advanced oxidation process, has also been introduced as a powerful technique for methane improvement in a couple of studies. This study, for the first time, investigates the synergy of combined FNA and Fenton pre-treatment technologies in enhancing the methane production from the anaerobic digestion process and reducing waste sludge to be disposed of. Actual secondary waste activated sludge in laboratory-scale batch reactors was used to assess the synergistic effect of the pre-treatments. The mechanisms behind the methane enhancement were also put into perspective by measuring different microbial enzymes activity and solubilisation of organic matter. Result This study revealed that the combined pre-treatments release organic matter into the soluble phase significantly more than the bioreactors pre-treated with individual FNA and Fenton. For understanding the influence of pre-treatments on solubilisation of organic matter, soluble protein, soluble polysaccharide and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were measured before and after the treatments and it was shown that they respectively increased by 973%, 33% and 353% after the treatments. Protease and cellulose activity, as the key constituents of the microbial community presenting in activated sludge, decreased considerably within the combined pre-treatments (42% and 32% respectively) and methane production enhanced by 43-69%. Furthermore, total solids and volatile solids destruction improved by 26% and 24% at the end of anaerobic digestion, which can reduce transport costs of sludge and improve the quality of sludge for application in farms and forests. Conclusions The results obtained from the experiments corroborate the synergic effect of the combined FNA and Fenton pre-treatment technologies in degrading the organic and microbial constituents in waste activated sludge, which improved methane production accordingly. This is of paramount importance because the total costs of wastewater treatment plants operation and greenhouse gas emission from sludge treatment and disposal processes would reduce considerably, which pave the way for the implementation of these technologies.

scholarly journals Efficiency of integrated electrooxidation and anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Barrios ◽  
A. Cano ◽  
F. F. Rivera ◽  
M. E. Cisneros ◽  
U. Durán
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Mathematical Optimization ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Bdd Electrode ◽  
Vs Removal ◽  
Pre Treatment

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.

Comparison between the conventional anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and its combination with a chemical or thermal pre-treatment concerning the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 109-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carballa ◽  
F. Omil ◽  
A.C. Alder ◽  
J.M. Lema
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Personal Care Products ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Natural Estrogens ◽  
Removal Efficiencies ◽  
Pre Treatment

Many novel treatment technologies, usually representing a pre-treatment prior to the biological degradation process, have been developed in order to improve the recycling and reuse of sewage sludge. Among all the methods available, a chemical (alkaline) and a thermal treatment have been considered in this study. The behaviour of 13 substances belonging to different therapeutic classes (musks, tranquillisers, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, X-ray contrast media and estrogens) has been studied during the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge combined with these pre-treatments (advanced operation) in comparison with the conventional process. Two parameters have been analysed: the temperature (mesophilic and thermophilic conditions) and the sludge retention time. While organic matter solubilization was higher with the alkaline process (55–80%), no difference between both pre-treatments was observed concerning volatile solids solubilization (up to 20%). The removal efficiencies of solids and organic matter during anaerobic digestion ranged from 40–70% and 45–75%, respectively. The higher removal efficiencies of pharmaceuticals and personal care products were achieved for the antibiotics, Naproxen and the natural estrogens (>80%). For the other compounds, the values were in the range 20–70%, except for Carbamazepine, which was not removed at any condition tested.

Effects of ultrasonic pre-treatment on sludge characteristics and anaerobic digestion

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2284-2290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Appels ◽  
Sofie Houtmeyers ◽  
Floriaan Van Mechelen ◽  
Jan Degrève ◽  
Jan Van Impe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Specific Energy ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Ultrasonic Treatment ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Sludge Characteristics ◽  
Production Increase ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Solids Content ◽  
The Relationship

In this work, the influence of an ultrasonic pre-treatment on anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge is studied. Attention is paid to the solubilisation of the main organic (proteins, carbohydrates) and inorganic (heavy metals) sludge components during ultrasonic treatment and the influence of the dry solids content (DS) on the degree of solubilisation. The second part of the paper focuses on the relationship between the applied specific energy of the ultrasonic treatment and methane production. In general, a higher specific energy and a higher DS content are beneficial for the release of organic matter, resulting in an increased methane production. The efficiency of the subsequent anaerobic digestion is similar for both sludge types (2.1 and 3.2% DS). However, at lower DS contents (2.1%), the methane production increase was more significant.

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Pre-treatment on the Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 915-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Mi Ahn ◽  
◽  
Jun Wi ◽  
Jin-Kyu Park ◽  
Sotaro Higuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Pre Treatment

scholarly journals Microwave and its combined processes: an effective way for enhancing anaerobic digestion and dewaterability of sewage sludge?

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jibao Liu ◽  
Juan Tong ◽  
Yuansong Wei ◽  
Yawei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Combined Processes ◽  
Soluble Organic Matter ◽  
Capillary Suction ◽  
Sludge Dewaterability

The enhancement for sludge anaerobic digestion and dewaterability were investigated in sludge pretreated by microwave (MW) and its combined processes. The results showed that microwave and its combined processes can efficiently release soluble organic matter and thus enhance anaerobic digestion of sludge. The cumulative methane production in the test of the MW-H2O2-OH (0.2) process was increased by 13.34% compared with that of the control. The MW-H process was effective in improving sludge dewaterability, e.g., the capillary suction time (CST) at only 9.85S.

Sludge minimization by disintegration at different wastewater treatment plants

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luchien Luning ◽  
Paul Roeleveld ◽  
Victor W.M. Claessen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Sludge Minimization

In recent years new technologies have been developed to improve the biological degradation of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion. The paper describes the results of a demonstration of ultrasonic disintegration on the Dutch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Land van Cuijk. The effect on the degradation of organic matter is presented, together with the effect on the dewatering characteristics. Recommendations are presented for establishing research conditions in which the effect of sludge disintegration can be determined in a more direct way that is less sensitive to changing conditions in the operation of the WWTP. These recommendations have been implemented in the ongoing research in the Netherlands supported by the National Institute for wastewater research (STOWA).

Effects of thermochemical pretreatment on the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuzo Tanaka ◽  
Toshio Kobayashi ◽  
Ken-ichi Kamiyama ◽  
Ma. Lolita N. Signey Bildan
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Batch Experiments ◽  
Industrial Wastewaters ◽  
Thermochemical Pretreatment ◽  
Chemical Heating ◽  
Methane Production Rate

Effects of pretreatment on the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) were investigated in terms of VSS solubilization and methane production by batch experiments. The methods of pretreatment studied are NaOH addition (chemical), heating (thermal) and heating with NaOH addition (thermochemical) to the domestic WAS and to the combined WAS from domestic, commercial and industrial wastewaters. The thermochemical pretreatment gave the best result among three methods in the combined WAS, i.e., the VSS was solubilized by 40-50% and the methane production increased by more than 200% over the control when the WAS was heated at 130°C for 5 minutes with the dose 0.3 g NaOH/g VSS. In the domestic WAS, the VSS solubilization rate was 70-80% but the increase of the methane production was about 30% after thermochemically pretreated. The domestic WAS consists of 41% protein, 25% lipid and 14% carbohydrate on COD basis, and the solubilization rate of protein, which is the largest constituent of the WAS, was 63% in the thermochemical pretreatment. Although the effect of the thermochemical pretreatment on the methane production was higher to the combined WAS than to the domestic WAS, the methane production rate was 21.9 ml CH4/g VSSWAS·day in the domestic WAS and 12.8 ml CH4/g VSSWAS·day in the combined WAS.

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