Anaerobic sludge digestion using mesophilic‐thermophilic phase separation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1989

Abstract

Phase separation of sludge digestion was investigated using a suspended growth system for the acid phase and a fixed‐film system for the methane phase. A thermophilic temperature of 50°C was used in the methane reactor, while a mesophilic temperature of 37°C was maintained in the acid reactor. During the acid‐phase stage, the volatile acid concentration and the reduction of volatile solids averaged approximately 2200 mg dm−3 as acetic acid and 13% (w/v), respectively, under a hydraulic retention time of 2 days. These parameters were not significantly affected by the applied solids concentration. Reduction of the retention time in the acid reactor from 2 days to 1 day decreased the methane content (18% versus 28%) and the volatile solids destruction (8% versus 13%), but produced the same amount of volatile acids. The total gas production for 10 days overall retention time was slightly higher than that for conventional single‐phase sludge digestion. The significant cost saving in reactor volume and enhanced methane production may offset the increased energy consumption required for maintaining a thermophilic temperature during the methane phase. Copyright © 1989 Society of Chemical Industry

Identifier

0024877747 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Chemical Technology Biotechnology

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.280450202

e-ISSN

10974660

ISSN

02682575

First Page

85

Last Page

96

Issue

2

Volume

45

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS