Impacts of thermal pre-treatments on the semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal 2007-04, Vol.34 (1), p.20-27
• Main Authors: Bougrier, C., Delgenès, J.P., Carrère, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobic processes; Biogas; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Carbohydrates; Environmental Sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Life Sciences; Lipids; Proteins; Thermal treatment; Waste treatment
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2006.11.013

Thermal pre-treatments can be used in order to enhance the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. The objective of this work was to study the effects of thermal treatment on the semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of the main sludge compounds (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). Thermal treatment at 190 °C was more efficient than treatment at 135 °C in terms of total COD, lipids, carbohydrates and protein removals and methane production. However, treatment at 190 °C produced refractory soluble COD. In all cases, with or without pre-treatments, lipids degradation yield (67% without pre-treatment and 84% with 190 °C treatment) was higher than carbohydrates (56% without pre-treatment and 82% with 190 °C treatment) and proteins (35% without pre-treatment and 46% with 190 °C treatment) degradation yields. Methane production increased by 25% after the 190 °C treatment. This moderate enhancement could be explained by a good initial biodegradability of tested sludge and by the sludge storage which was done for a long period. Enzymatic reactions may occur even at 4 °C. However, this methane production enhancement was enough to produce energy to pre-heat the sludge.