STUDIES ON ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF HIGH SOLIDS SEWAGE SLUDGE

Abstract

Process of anaerobic digestions (AD) for sludge containing high solids was developed to reduce volume of tank, increase organic loading rate (OLR), reducing water usage and nutrient loss in digestate. In this biochemical process, organic substrates are converted to biogas in the absence of oxygen. A series of batch experiments with initial solids content of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were conducted under mesophilic conditions. During the experiments volatile degradation, biogas production and other parameters were monitored. This report presents a documentation of laboratory studies on anaerobic digestion of high solids sludge for biogas production. It includes a discussion of biogas production in batch reactors and factors affecting the efficiency of AD process such as temperature, pH, retention time and C/N/P ratio. Biogas production plays an important role as it determines the efficiency of reactor as well as the suitability of conditions for growth of microorganisms.