Abstract
In this research, sources of methane emissions of an anaerobic digester (AD) system at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with 260,000 population equivalent (PE) capacity were detected by a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) camera. The located emissions were evaluated qualitatively and were documented with photographs and video films. Subsequently, the emission sources were quantified individually using different methods like the Flux-Chamber method and sampling from the digester's circulation pipe. The dissolved methane in the sludge digester was measured via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and 6.8% oversaturation compared to the equilibrium after Henry's law was found. Additionally, the residual gas potential of the digestate was measured using batch tests with 10 days' additional stabilisation time. The PE-specific residual gas production of the full-scale AD was calculated to 12.4 g CH4/(PE · y). An extended chemical oxygen demand (COD) balance including methane emissions for the whole digester system was calculated. Also the measured methane loads were calculated and summed up. The total methane loss of the AD was calculated at 24.6 g CH4/(PE · y), which corresponds to 0.4% of the produced biogas (4,913 g CH4/(PE · y)). PE-specific methane emission factors are presented for each investigated (point) source like the sludge outlet at the digester's head, a leaking manhole sealing and cracks in the concrete structure.
Highlights
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a cost-effective technique for sewage sludge stabilisation
It can be concluded that a non-dispersive infrared camera is well suited to detecting point sources of methane from anaerobic digester (AD) reactors with emission rates below 1 g CH4/h
A cross-check with references showed that the measured total methane emission rising directly from the digestion reactor is in the lower range compared to literature values for other plant components like the thickener, buffering tank, prior sludge dewatering, CHP and flare
Summary
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a cost-effective technique for sewage sludge stabilisation. The organic matter of sewage sludge is converted into biogas, which is often used for heat and electric production This conversion produces emissions of climate-relevant gases, mainly methane (CH4), being the produced carbon dioxide (CO2), mostly biogenic in origin. Due to its high global warming potential, based on 100 years’ timeframe (GWP100) of 28 kg CO2 equivalents/kg CH4 according to IPCC ( ), these methane emissions can significantly affect the carbon footprint of the entire. Gärtner et al ( ) report that 75% (27 kg CO2e/(PE · y)) of climate-relevant emissions from WWTPs originate from methane emissions from sludge treatment, in which 6% arise through raw sludge and 94% through digested sludge
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