Anaerobic Digestion and Dewatering of Biological Trickling Filter Sludge
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 2
Abstract
This study investigated digestibility of biological trickling filter (BTF) sludge (in terms of the mass and volume reduction of the sludge) and the effect of anaerobic digestion on sludge dewatering. Nine 20-L anaerobic digesters fed with BTF sludge were set up in a dark constant-temperature room at 20°C and operated for 6 months. The anaerobic digesters removed of volatile solids (VS) after 3 months of operation, and a further after 6 months of operation (total VS removal = 52%). The average methane production of the digesters was , which is within the range of literature values for mesophilic (or thermophilic) sludge digestion (). Anaerobic digestion substantially improved dewaterability of the BTF sludge, with times lower specific resistance to drainage (SRD, a parameter describing sludge dewaterability) than fresh or 1-day anaerobically stored BTF sludges. Moreover, the improved SRDs achieved by anaerobic digestion resulted in a decrease in drainage time from and 7 h required for fresh and anaerobically stored BTF sludges, respectively, to less than 3 h. These results suggest that the anaerobic digestion could greatly reduce the size of subsequent sludge dewatering and disposal systems such as centrifugation or sludge treatment reed beds.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data (which are not summarized in Table 1 and Supplementary Information) during the study are available from the corresponding author by request [e.g., specific resistance to drainage (SRD)].
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable inputs of Gisborne District Council staff (particularly David Wilson, Robson Timbs, David Viggars, Helen Churton, and Tracey Panton), and Wastewater Technical Advisory Group (WTAG) members (Bruce Duncan, Beven Turnpenny, Peter Williamson, and Murray Palmer), and Jacqui Horswell at Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR). Their collaborative and supportive contributions were essential for achieving the goals outlined the research.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 146 • Issue 2 • February 2020
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 15, 2018
Accepted: Jul 9, 2019
Published online: Dec 12, 2019
Published in print: Feb 1, 2020
Discussion open until: May 12, 2020
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