Abstract
This study evaluates the effects of thermal hydrolysis (TH) pretreatment on anaerobic digestion (AD), through results obtained by biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests under mesophilic conditions (35 °C). Thickened sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was thermally treated under two different temperatures (150 and 170 °C) and reaction times (30 and 60 min). Results show a significant increase in soluble COD, compared with the untreated sludge, when sludge was treated at 170 °C for 60 min. Moreover, the following BMP tests point out that TH pretreatment of sludge accelerated the AD rate and increased the biogas yield contributing to an increase in methane production, ranging between 17 and 24% compared with the raw sludge. Furthermore, the hydrolysis constant was estimated and methane production and degree of disintegration of the TH pretreated sludge were correlated, in order to deep the knowledge on the hydrolysis as the AD rate-limiting step. Further, the combined effects of TH pretreatment and AD on sludge show a reduction of total and volatile solids up to 19% and 24%, respectively.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
