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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

scholarly journals The efficiency of the economic septic tank in the treatment of domestic wastewater and black water in rural areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e22910817232
Author(s):  
Guilherme Franceschini ◽  
Nathalie Dyane Miranda Slompo ◽  
Sergio Augusto Rodrigues ◽  
Valéria Cristina Rodrigues Sarnighausen ◽  
Jorge Lucas Junior
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Total Suspended Solid ◽  
Suspended Solid ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Black Water ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

Wastewater treatment in rural areas is important to prevent the pollution of aquatic environments and to protect the health of the population. Centralized treatment systems present a high cost, making the use of decentralized systems attractive. The use of septic tanks for on-site treatment of residential (single-family) is an attractive alternative within the context of Brazilian sanitation. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze the efficiency of the Economic Septic Tank in the treatment of wastewater of two residences located in a rural area. Two systems were installed: the first treat sanitary wastewater of a residence with three residents (A) and the second treat only the water from the toilet of a residence with five residents (B) (Black Water). For both systems, A and B, removal efficiencies were obtained in relation to total suspended solid (75%), biochemical oxygen demand (58 and 55%), and chemical oxygen demand (61 and 60%), respectively. Removal efficiencies were close, indicating that the system works satisfactorily in both systems, considering values indicated in the literature.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Study on the Use of Xylit as Filter Material for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5281
Author(s):  
Marcin Spychała ◽  
Tadeusz Nawrot ◽  
Radosław Matz
Keyword(s):  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Filter Material ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Stage Ii ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Preliminary Stage ◽  
Wastewater Quality

The aim of the study was to verify two morphological forms (“angel hair” and “scraps”) of xylit as a trickling filter material. The study was carried out on two types of polluted media: septic tank effluent (STE) and seminatural greywater (GW). The basic wastewater quality indicators, namely, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonium nitrogen (NNH4), and total phosphorus (Ptot) were used as the indicators of treatment efficiency. Filtering columns filled with the investigated material acted as conventional trickling filters at a hydraulic load of 376–472 cm3/d during the preliminary stage, 198–245 cm3/d during stage I, and 184–223 cm3/d during stage II. The removal efficiency of the two morphological forms of xylit did not differ significantly. The average efficiencies of treatment were as follows: for COD, over 70, 80, and 85% for preliminary stage, stage I and stage II, respectively; for BOD5, 77–79% (preliminary stage); for TSS, 42% and 70% during the preliminary stage, and 88, 91, and 65% during stage I; for NNH4, 97–99% for stage I and 36–49% for stage II; for Ptot, 51–54% for stage I and 52–56% for stage II. The study demonstrated that xylit was a material highly effective in wastewater quality indicators removal, even during the initial period of its use.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Wastewater in an Innovative Multi-Section Horizontal Flow Reactor

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Dębowski ◽  
Marcin Zieliński ◽  
Marta Kisielewska ◽  
Joanna Kazimierowicz
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Flow Reactor ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Methane Content ◽  
Dairy Wastewater ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Biogas Yield

The aim of this study was the performance evaluation of anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater in a multi-section horizontal flow reactor (HFAR) equipped with microwave and ultrasonic generators to stimulate biochemical processes. The effects of increasing organic loading rate (OLR) ranging from 1.0 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L·d to 4.0 g COD/L·d on treatment performance, biogas production, and percentage of methane yield were determined. The highest organic compounds removals (about 85% as COD and total organic carbon—TOC) were obtained at OLR of 1.0–2.0 g COD/L·d. The highest biogas yield of 0.33 ± 0.03 L/g COD removed and methane content in biogas of 68.1 ± 5.8% were recorded at OLR of 1.0 g COD/L·d, while at OLR of 2.0 g COD/L·d it was 0.31 ± 0.02 L/COD removed and 66.3 ± 5.7%, respectively. Increasing of the OLR led to a reduction in biogas productivity as well as a decrease in methane content in biogas. The best technological effects were recorded in series with an operating mode of ultrasonic generators of 2 min work/28 min break. More intensive sonication reduced the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater as well as biogas production. A low nutrient removal efficiency was observed in all tested series of the experiment, which ranged from 2.04 ± 0.38 to 4.59 ± 0.68% for phosphorus and from 9.67 ± 3.36 to 20.36 ± 0.32% for nitrogen. The effects obtained in the study (referring to the efficiency of wastewater treatment, biogas production, as well as to the results of economic analysis) proved that the HFAR can be competitive to existing industrial technologies for food wastewater treatment.

scholarly journals Opportunity of Biogas Production from Solid Organic Wastes through Anaerobic Digestion

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 05025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagor Kumar Pramanik ◽  
Fatihah Binti Suja ◽  
Biplob Kumar Pramanik ◽  
Shahrom Bindi Md Zain
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Organic Wastes ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Nitrogen Ratio ◽  
Pre Treatment

Solid organic wastes create potential risks to environmental pollution and human health due to the uncontrolled discharge of huge quantities of hazardous wastes from numerous sources. Now-a-days, anaerobic digestion (AD) is considered as a verified and effective alternative compared to other techniques for treating solid organic waste. The paper reviewed the biological process and parameters involved in the AD along with the factors could enhance the AD process. Hydrolysis is considered as a rate-limiting phase in the complex AD process. The performance and stability of AD process is highly influenced by various operating parameters like temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen ratio, retention time, and organic loading rate. Different pre-treatment (e.g. mechanical, chemical and biological) could enhance the AD process and the biogas yield. Co-digestion can also be used to provide suitable nutrient balance inside the digester. Challenges of the anaerobic digestion for biogas production are also discussed.

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