scholarly journals Enhancement of Methanogenic Activity in Volumetrically Undersized Reactor by Mesophilic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Aqueous Residue

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7728
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Torretta ◽  
Athanasia K. Tolkou ◽  
Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis ◽  
Francesca Maria Caccamo ◽  
Marco Carnevale Miino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Hydraulic Retention Time ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Aqueous Residue ◽  
First Time

To date, energy recovery from biological sewage sludge (BSS) by anaerobic digestion has been very popular. However, it can often happen that anaerobic reactors are volumetrically undersized, thus reducing performance in terms of biogas production. A continuous-flow pilot-scale plant was used to investigate, for the first time, the effects of mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion (MACoD) of sewage sludge and aqueous residue (AR) from a biosolids treatment plant (BTP) on methanogenic activity under low hydraulic retention time (HRT) conditions (to simulate the undersizing of the reactor). The results showed that the digestate is always more rapidly biodegradable than the matrices fed, while particulate COD hydrolyzed (12 ± 1.3%) is independent of the quantity of AR dosed. Feeding over 35% of soluble OLR, the total VFAs in the system strongly decreased, despite the low HRT. In correspondence with higher dosages of AR, the percentage of CH4 increased up to 77–78% and the CO2 CH4−1 ratio decreased to 0.25 ± 0.2. Specific methane production increased from 0.09 ± 0.01 m3CH4 kgCODremoved−1 with BSS alone to 0.28 ± 0.01 m3CH4CH4 kgCODremoved−1 in the case of BSS co-digested with AR. Moreover, co-digestion with AR from a BTP allowed continuous specific methanogenic activity to be enhanced from 1.76 ± 0.02 m3CH4 tVSS−1 d−1 to 6.48 ± 0.88 m3CH4 tVSS−1 d−1. Therefore, the MACoD of BSS and AR from a BTP could be a good solution to enhance methanogenic activity in a volumetrically undersized anaerobic digester with reduced HRT.

scholarly journals Tratamiento biológico de aguas residuales en reactor anaerobio de flujo ascendente de empresa productora de grenetina

2019 ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Perla Sofia Balderas-Salas ◽  
Andrea Leticia Cordoba-Castro ◽  
Martha Betzabé Murillo-Hernández ◽  
Javier Páramo-Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Retention Time ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Pilot Scale Reactor ◽  
Scale Reactor

The anaerobic reactors of a flavorless jelly producing company; had a low efficiency in the treatment of their wastewater, with approximately 12% of COD removal. For this reason, it´s operation was evaluated, in a pilot scale reactor, using as inoculum, sludge from the wastewater treatment of a similar facility, with an average Specific Methanogenic Activity of 0.115 g COD/gSSV.d. We worked with an initial concentration of 35 kgSSV/m3 of the inoculum, an average organic load of 2.6843 kgCOD/m3d and wastewater with COD of 6797 mg/L and total nitrogen of 1213 mg/L. The feed flow was 0.264 L/h, in order to obtain an hydraulic retention time of 27.14 h, equal to the value of the reactor of the company. An average COD removal of 65.24% was achieved. The results showed sulphide concentrations of 461.4 mg/L and ammonium nitrogen of 1054.4 mg/L; that were not inhibitory.

Influence of phenylacetic acid pulses on anaerobic digestion performance and archaeal community structure in WWTP sewage sludge digesters

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 1790-1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léa Cabrol ◽  
Johana Urra ◽  
Francisca Rosenkranz ◽  
Pablo Araya Kroff ◽  
Caroline M. Plugge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Phenylacetic Acid ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Archaeal Community ◽  
Methanogenic Activity

The effect of phenylacetic acid (PAA) pulses on anaerobic digestion (AD) performance and archaeal community structure was evaluated in anaerobic digesters treating sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Four pilot-scale continuous stirred tank reactors were set up at a full-scale municipal WWTP in Santiago de Chile, and fed with either primary or mixed sewage sludge. AD performance was evaluated by volatile fatty acid (VFA) and biogas production monitoring. Archaeal community structure was characterized by 16S rRNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and band sequencing. In the primary sludge digester, a single PAA pulse at 200 mg L−1 was sufficient to affect AD performance and archaeal community structure, resulting in long-term VFA accumulation, reduced biogas production and community shift from dominant acetoclastic (Methanosaeta concilii) to hydrogenotrophic (Methanospirillum hungatei) methanogens. By contrast, AD performance and archaeal community structure in the mixed sludge digester were stable and resistant to repeated PAA pulses at 200 and 600 mg L−1. This work demonstrated that the effect of PAA pulses on methanogenic activity and archaeal community structure differed according to AD substrate, and suggests that better insights of the correlations between archaeal population dynamics and functional performance could help to better face toxic shocks in AD.

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and primary clarifier skimmings for increased biogas production

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Alanya ◽  
Y. D. Yilmazel ◽  
C. Park ◽  
J. L. Willis ◽  
J. Keaney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Water Pollution Control ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

The objective of the study was to identify the impact of co-digesting clarifier skimmings on the overall methane generation from the treatment plant and additional energy value of the increased methane production. Biogas production from co-digesting clarifier skimmings and sewage sludge in pilot-scale fed-batch mesophilic anaerobic digesters has been evaluated. The digester was fed with increasing quantities of clarifier skimmings loads: 1.5, 2.6, 3.5 and 7.0 g COD equivalent/(L·d) (COD: chemical oxygen demand). Average volatile solids reduction of 65% was achieved in the scum-fed digester, compared with 51% in the control digester. Average 69% COD removal was achieved at highest scum loading (7 g COD eq/(L·d)) with approximate methane yield of 250 L CH4/kg COD fed (4 ft3/lb COD fed). The results show that scum as co-substrate in anaerobic digestion systems improves biogas yields while a 29% increase in specific CH4 yield could be achieved when scum load is 7 g COD eq/(L·d). Based on the pilot-scale study results and full-scale data from South East Water Pollution Control Plant and Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant the expected annual energy recovery would be approximately 1.7 billion BTUs or nearly 0.5 million kWh.

scholarly journals Gasification of yeast industry treatment plant sludge using downdraft Gasifier

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 364-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azize Ayol ◽  
Ozgun Tezer ◽  
Alim Gurgen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Thermal Conversion ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Glassy Material ◽  
Gasification Process

Abstract Sludges produced in biological wastewater treatment plants have rich organic materials in their characteristics. Recent research studies have focused on the energy recovery from sludge due to its high organic content. The gasification process is a thermal conversion technology transforming the chemical energy contained in a solid fuel into thermal energy and electricity. The produced syngas as a mixture of CO, CH4, H2 and other gases can be used to generate electrical energy. The gasification of yeast industry sludge has been experimentally evaluated in a pilot scale downdraft-type gasifier as a route towards the energy recovery. The gasifier has 20 kg biomass/h fuel capacity. During gasification, the temperature achieved was more than 1,000°C in the gasifier, and then the syngas was transferred to the gas engine to yield the electricity. A load was connected to the grid box and approximately 1 kWh electrical power generation for 1 kg dry sludge was determined. The characteristics of residuals – ash, glassy material – were also analyzed. It was found that most of the heavy metals were fixed in the glassy material. Experimental results showed that the yeast industry sludge was an appropriate material for gasification studies and remarkable energy recovery was obtained in terms of power production by using syngas.

scholarly journals Genome-Guided Characterization of Ochrobactrum sp. POC9 Enhancing Sewage Sludge Utilization—Biotechnological Potential and Biosafety Considerations

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Poszytek ◽  
Joanna Karczewska-Golec ◽  
Anna Ciok ◽  
Przemyslaw Decewicz ◽  
Mikolaj Dziurzynski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Biotechnological Potential ◽  
Sewage Sludge Sample ◽  
Complex Organic ◽  
Insight Into

Sewage sludge is an abundant source of microorganisms that are metabolically active against numerous contaminants, and thus possibly useful in environmental biotechnologies. However, amongst the sewage sludge isolates, pathogenic bacteria can potentially be found, and such isolates should therefore be carefully tested before their application. A novel bacterial strain, Ochrobactrum sp. POC9, was isolated from a sewage sludge sample collected from a wastewater treatment plant. The strain exhibited lipolytic, proteolytic, cellulolytic, and amylolytic activities, which supports its application in biodegradation of complex organic compounds. We demonstrated that bioaugmentation with this strain substantially improved the overall biogas production and methane content during anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge. The POC9 genome content analysis provided a deeper insight into the biotechnological potential of this bacterium and revealed that it is a metalotolerant and a biofilm-producing strain capable of utilizing various toxic compounds. The strain is resistant to rifampicin, chloramphenicol and β-lactams. The corresponding antibiotic resistance genes (including blaOCH and cmlA/floR) were identified in the POC9 genome. Nevertheless, as only few genes in the POC9 genome might be linked to pathogenicity, and none of those genes is a critical virulence factor found in severe pathogens, the strain appears safe for application in environmental biotechnologies.

scholarly journals Modelling the bioenergy potential of municipal wastewater treatment plants

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 2613-2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Schopf ◽  
Johannes Judex ◽  
Bernhard Schmid ◽  
Thomas Kienberger
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Recovery Efficiency ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Self Sufficiency

Abstract A municipal wastewater treatment plant accounts for a large portion of the total energy consumption of a municipality. Besides their high energy demand, the plants also display a significant bioenergy potential. This is due to the utilisation of the energy content of digester gas and sewage sludge if there exist suitable units. To maximise the energy recovery efficiency of wastewater treatment systems (WWTS), it is important to analyse the amount of digester gas and sludge produced in different types of plants. Therefore, the present paper deals with designing a tool to answer the following research questions: Which bioenergy potentials occur in different plant types? Which mass and energy flows are related to the specific potentials? Which utilisation processes for the potentials can lead to a high energy recovery efficiency of WWTS? Preliminary analyses with the designed tool were focused on estimating the level of electric and thermal energy self-sufficiency of different plant configuration scenarios including or excluding digester gas and/or sludge utilisation units. First results based on the level of self-sufficiency and associated energy and disposal costs show that a digester gas and sewage sludge utilisation should be considered when designing future WWTS.

Sludge digestion enhancement and nutrient removal from anaerobic supernatant by Mg(OH)2 application

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Wu ◽  
P. L. Bishop ◽  
T. C. Keener ◽  
J. Stallard ◽  
L. Stile
Keyword(s):  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Phosphate Removal ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Sludge Stabilization ◽  
Sludge Digestion ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Digestion

Anaerobic sludge digestion is a widely adopted process for sludge stabilization. Phosphate removal from anaerobic supernatant is necessary to limit the phosphate returned to the head of the treatment plant, thereby improving the overall treatment efficiency. In this study, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) was used to improve the sludge digestion efficiency and to remove phosphorus from anaerobic supernatant. The anaerobic sludge digestion experiment was conducted at a pilot scale, and the results showed that applying Mg(OH)2 to anaerobic sludge digester resulted in a larger reduction in SS and COD, a higher biogas production rate, a lower level of phosphate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations in the sludge supernatant and an improved sludge dewaterability. Research results at both lab scale and pilot scale on phosphorus removal from anaerobic supernatant using Mg(OH)2 showed that a high removal of phosphorus can be achieved through the addition of Mg(OH)2. The required reaction time depends on the initial phosphorus concentration and the Mg(OH)2 dosage.

Modelling Trace Element Emissions in Co-Gasification of Sewage Sludge With Coal

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Reed ◽  
D. R. Dugwell ◽  
R. Kandiyoti
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Gaseous Species ◽  
Fuel Gas ◽  
Gas Cleaning ◽  
Hot Gas

Gasification has attracted considerable interest from water utilities as a sewage sludge disposal option, with the advantages of waste volume reduction, pathogen destruction and energy recovery. Co-gasification with coal in a larger plant (>10 MWt) employing a gas turbine for energy recovery may reduce the risk and cost of this option. However, controlling the release of trace elements such as Pb and Zn in the gas produced may be necessary to avoid corrosion, and to meet environmental requirements. A thermodynamic equilibrium model has been used to make predictions of the speciation of trace elements in the fuel gas from co-gasification of sewage sludge with coal. Experimental data from a pilot scale 2 MWt sewage sludge/coal co-gasification plant with a hot gas filter was used to test the validity of these predictions. No significant amount of Be, Co, Cu, V and Zn was predicted to be in the form of gaseous phase species, and this was confirmed by the experimental data. On the other hand, Hg and Se were predicted to be only present in gas phase species, and this was also confirmed experimentally. The elements As, B, Cd, Pb, Sb and Sn were all predicted to form a larger amount of gaseous species than was observed in the experimental measurements. Refinement of the predictions for As and B by inclusion of specific minor/trace element interactions with Ni and Ca respectively gave a better agreement with the experimental data. Whilst the experimentally-observed lowering of Pb emissions by reduction of the gas cleaning temperature from 580 °C to 450 °C was qualitatively predicted, the concentration of Pb in the fine dust removed by the hot gas filter indicates condensation at higher temperatures than predicted. The absence of thermodynamic data for the more complex minerals and adsorbed species that may be formed is thought to account for some of these differences.

The Aeration Control during Co-Composting of Sewage Sludge and Wooden Chips in a Rotary Drum Reactor

2014 ◽  
Vol 878 ◽  
pp. 720-728
Author(s):  
Yuan Cheng Zhang ◽  
Luis Caicedo ◽  
Hong Tao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Moisture Removal ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Composting Process ◽  
Temperature Feedback ◽  
Rotary Drum ◽  
Aeration Control

To optimize the aeration control during the co-composting process of sewage sludge and wooden chips in a rotary drum reactor, it was proposed to study the implementation of different control strategies. A series of pilot scale experiments were carried out in a rotary drum reactor with a volume of 3.14m3, using 800 kg sewage sludge from 2nd wastewater treatment plant of Kunming and 400 kg wooden chips collected from parks in Kunming as compost materials. Temperature, oxygen concentrations, volatile solid contents and moisture content were followed during the composting process as important variables to compare different aeration control strategies (continuous, intermittent and two stage temperature feedback aeration control strategies). The obtained results have shown that two stage temperature feedback aeration control strategy is the optimal, because it can effectively control the temperature during composting, with better moisture removal and higher organic matter degradation than the other strategies, obtaining a stabilized product with less nutrient elements losses.

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