Chemicals and Fuels from Biomass via Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: A Route to Sustainability

Abstract

This unique study combined the lab and full scales to investigate how the anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge was affected by a temperature change within the lower mesophilic temperature range (32–37.5 °C). Both scientific methane potential experiments and dewaterability studies were made to be used in changes of the operational conditions for a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. The aim of this study was to reduce anaerobic digestions heat consumption by altering the operational mesophilic temperature in first lab-scale experiments and then in continuation to full-scale conditions. The results of the study suggest that it is possible to save approximately 13% in heat energy demand each year by reducing the temperature for anaerobic digestion by 2.5 °C. At the lab scale, the effect of temperature on biogas production was tested in a batch experiment by measuring the biochemical methane production. At 32 °C, the production of biogas decreased by 11% compared to that at 37.5 °C. No significant difference was observed between 37.5 °C and 34.5 °C. The effect of temperature on sludge dewaterability was tested by measuring the capillary suction time, and no difference was detected between various temperatures. To confirm these results, the temperature in two full-scale digesters was gradually adjusted from 37.5 °C to 35 °C. No change was observed in biogas production, process stability, or dewaterability. The amount of heat energy that can be saved for the full-scale digesters was calculated using a heat balance. This study shows that it is possible to reduce the heat demand for AD in real applications without compromising the biogas production and process stability.