Investigation of hydrodynamics in high solid anaerobic digestion by particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics: Role of mixing on flow field and dead zone reduction

Abstract

High solid anaerobic digestion (HSAD) was a potential organic waste treatment. Compared with low solid anaerobic digestion, it had the advantages of small footprint, less digestate, and low heating energy. However, HSAD’s methane production is poor, mainly due to the complex hydrodynamics. In this study, computational fluid dynamics were utilized for HSAD’s hydrodynamics investigation at 14.3% solid content and compared to the particle image velocimetry measurement. Then, effects of mixing on hydrodynamics were investigated. The results indicated that the diameter of impeller was critical for the radial mixing, and the distance between the impellers dictated the axial mixing. Besides, rotating speed affected flow velocities significantly, but displayed less effect on expanding the mixing range. Furthermore, HSAD’s treating capacity could be increased at large extent by optimizing mixing. The visualization of the hydrodynamics in this study could potentially offer conceptual basis for HSAD’s design in practical engineering.