ANAEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTER

(ASD)

AHMAD FARIS BIN MOHD NAPI

MUHD BAKTIAR BIN RAZALI
MUHD NASRUN BIN MOHD ROSDI
Uses Of Egg-
shaped ASD
In Pulp And
Paper Mill
Industry,
Western
Australia
 INTRODUCTION
(Anaerobic Treatment in ASD)

The use of microbes in the absence of oxygen for the

stabilization of organic material by conversion to
methane, carbon dioxide, new biomass and inorganic
products.

Anaerobic treatment is most suitable for wastewaters with

COD concentrations in the high strength range (>2000
mg/l)
ANAEROBIC DIGESTER : DIAGRAM
FEATURES OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
TWO STAGE ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
TYPES OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
The two types of commanly used anaerobic

digesters are identified as;

 Standard-rate

 High-rate
 Standard-Rate Digester:
In the standard-rate digestion process; the contents of digesters are usually
unheated and unmixed. Detention times for the standard-rate process vary
from 30 to 60 days.
They are usually carried out as a single-stage process. The functions of
digestion, sludge thickening, and supernatant formation are carried out
simultaneously. As a result of digestion, the sludge stratifies by forming a
supernatant layer above the digesting sludge and becomes more
mineralized. As a result of the stratification and the lack of mixing, not
more than 50% of the volume of a standard-rate single-stage digester is
used. Because of these limitations, the standard-rate process is used to
small installations.
 High-Rate Digester
In the high-rate digestion process; the contents of digesters are heated and

mixed completely. The required detention time for high-rate digestion is

typically 15 days or less with the exception of higher loading rates and

improved mixing, there are only a few difference between the primary

digester in a conventional two-stage process and a single-stage high-rate

digester.
Two-stage digestion; frequently, a high-rate digester is coupled in series with a

second digestion tank. The first tank is used for digestion and is heated and

equipped wirh mixing facilities. The primary function of the second stage is to

separate the digested solids from the sopernatant, however additional digestion

and gas production may occur.

 Design Construction Guidelines
Digester Capacity and Dimensions
1. Compute digester capacity at average flow condition using 15
days digestion period
Assume average flow to the digester = 132 m3/day
Digester volume = 132 m3/day × 15 days = 1,980 m3
2. Compute digester capacity using volatile solids-loading factor
Assume VS loading at ave. flow condition = 2.5 kg/m3·day
Total VS reaching the digester = 8,180 × 0.71 = 5,808 kg/day
Digester volume = 5,808 kg/day × 2.5 kg/ m3·days = 2,323 m3
3. Compute digester capacity using volume per capita allowance
Assume 0.03 m3 digester capacity per capita
Population served = 80,000
Digester capacity = 80,000 × 0.03 m3 = 2,400 m3
4. Compute digester capacity using volume reduction method
Volume of the digested sludge = 97 m3/day (Table 13.13)
Volume of raw sludge to the digester = 132 m3/day
Digester capacity = [132 - 2/3 (132 – 97)] × 15 = 1,630 m3
14
15
 Design Construction Guidelines- continued
Select a supernatant selector system
To withdraw liquid from the top.
a. Allow direct visual inspection of sludge
b. Allow removal of clear liquid from the top
c. Permit operation by one person
d. Be extremely reliable
e. Minimize the danger of allowing air
to enter the digester
f. Be easy to serve in
case of blockage
grease, scum or
by sludge

16
DESIGN CRITERIA THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDER
Design considerations are essential to efficient operation of anaerobic digesters

a) adequate digester volume; sludge feed and withdrawal schemes

b) equipment such as foam separators, grit removal facilities, electrically

operated drip traps

c) sloped gas piping systems. Because the extent of foam generation is

uncertain, its elimination.

d) provision of gas utilization equipment that can handle foam must be a design
consideration.

e) the designer of an anaerobic digester system must think not only about the
anaerobic digester system, but also about the other systems within the plant
that will affect digester operation. For instance, if the plant receives hauled
waste, the waste should be stored and metered into the digesters rather than
being pumped at a high rate into the digester.
f) The digester complex must be compatible with other components of the
plant and the type of sludge being processed in the anaerobic digesters. \

g) The sludge must be properly blended before it enters the digester to assure
consistent solids concentration in the digester feed, and thus a more
consistent feed of volatile solids.

h) Upstream process such as grit removal is vital to effective digester

performance. If the grit is not removed, it could pass into the primary
clarifiers and be pumped to the digesters, where it could settle and
effectively reduce the usable digester volume.

i) To ensure that all solids that enter the digester will leave the digester,
adequate mixing is necessary. Adequate mixing produces a uniform solids
concentration throughout the digester, which is important for the reduction
of volatile solids.

j) The feed to the digester should be well mixed, especially if it consists of a

combination of WAS and PS.
 Process design
Conditions for Sludge Digestion
Optimum 98°F
Temperature
General Range 85-95°F
Optimum 7.0-7.1
pH
General Range 6.7-7.4
Per pound volatile solids added
8-12 cu. ft. 16-18
Gas production Per pound volatile solids
cu. ft.
destroyed
Methane 65-69%
Gas Composition Carbon Dioxide 31-35%
Hydrogen Sulfide Trace

Volatile Acid Concentration Normal 200-800 mg/L

As Ascetic Acid Maximum 2000 mg/L

Alkalinity Concentration
Normal 2000-3500 mg/L
As Calcium Carbonate
 Characteristics of Sludge
Reaching Anaerobic Digester
Average Extreme Extreme
Factors flow low flow high flow
Sludge production, kg/day 8,180 6,952a 8,681b
Solids concentration, % dry wt 6 8 4
Specific gravity 1.03 1.04 1.02
Average daily flow rate, m3/day 132 84 213c
Pumping rate into each digester 0.85d 0.85 0.85
during the pumping cycle
Influent temperature, °C 21 30
12
Volatile solids fraction before digestion 0.71 0.71 0.71
 PROCESS DESCRİPTİON

Anaerobic digestion is one of the oldest process used for the stabilization of

sludges. It involves the decomposition of organic and inorganic matter in the

absence of molecular oxygen.

In the anaerobic digestion process, the organic material in mixture of primary

settled and biological sludges is converted biologically. Under anaerobic conditions,
to a variety of and products including methane (CH4) and carbondioxide. The
process is carried out in an airtight reactor. Sludge, introduced continuously or
intermittently, is retained in the reactor for varying periods of time. The stabilized
sludge, withdrawn from the reactor, is reduced in organic and pathogen content.
 ANAEROBİC DİGESTİON PROCESS IN
ASD
3 Mechanisms Occurring:
Hydrolysis Process – conversion of insoluble high molecular compounds
(lignin, carbohydrates, fats) to lower molecular compounds
Fermentation: Acidogenic fermentations are most important, acetate is the
main end product. Volatile fatty acids are also produced along with carbon
dioxide and hydrogen.
Acidogenesis Process – conversion of soluble lower molecular components of
fatty acids, amino acids and sugars (monosaccharides) to lower molecular
intermediate products (volatile acids, alcohol, ammonia, H2 and CO2)
Methanogenesis Process – conversion of volatile acids & intermediate
products to final product of methane and CO2
 DIGESTION PROCESS
• Primary and secondary sludge from activated
sludge treatment plant have very high BOD
and it has bad odor.
• The purpose of stabilization or digestion
processes of the sludge was to reduce the
high BOD to acceptable condition where it can
be disposed and eliminate the bad odor.
 Cont…
• Pre-processing of the sludge needs before
entering the activated sludge digester (ASD)
which is sludge thickener.
• The purpose of sludge thickener is to reduce
water content of the sludge.
 Cont…
• The stabilization or digestion processes can be
carried out by aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
• Aerobic sludge digestion is a collection of
processes by which microorganisms break down
biodegradable material in the presence of
oxygen.
• Anaerobic sludge digestion involves the
treatment of highly concentrated organic wastes
in the absence of oxygen by anaerobic bacteria.
 OPERATION (ANAEROBIC)
• Anaerobic digesters systems are usually built
with two digesters
 OPERATION (ANAEROBIC)
PRIMARY DIGESTER
• The primary digester receives the thickened
sludge. It is heated and is equipped with
mixing equipment to keep the sludge stirred
and temperatures uniform.
• The mixers can be mechanical units or gas
bubblers that mix by pumping digester gas
into the sludge
 OPERATION (ANAEROBIC)
PRIMARY DIGESTER
• A heat exchanger system will also assist in
mixing the contents of the digester as sludge
is pumped through the exchanger.
• The methane gas produced by anaerobic
respiration was collected and used as sources
of energy to heat the sludge.
• The sludge passes from the primary digester
to the secondary digester.
 OPERATION (ANAEROBIC)
SECONDARY DIGESTER
• The primary and secondary digester are
separate. The secondary digester are use to
settle digested sludge and finish the digestion
process.
• The overflow from the secondary digester is
returned to the head of the plant. With no DO
and a high BOD strength this flow can have an
impact on the secondary processes.
 OPERATION (ANAEROBIC)
SECONDARY DIGESTER
• Secondary digesters also store most of the
digester gas that is produced. They can have a
floating top that rises and falls with changes in
the digester level and gas production or
removal.
1) After thickening, primary and secondary
sludges are combined and sent to sludge
digesters.
2) Here anaerobic bacteria that live without air
further decompose and stabilize the
biosolids.
3) Methane gas produced in this process is
recycled as fuel for engines that power a
blower and electric generators.
4) The water used to cool these engines is used
to heat the digesters and several buildings at
the plant.
DIGESTER OPERATION
DIGESTER OPERATION
Preventive maintenance
(schedule)
MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY
Sludge removal • Check the sludge level in the digester to determine Monthly
whether it requires desludging by the contractor.

Check the pH • Maintian adding the sludge and not excessie

withdraw the sludge
• Make sure not exceed 3-5% from dry solid weight in
digester

Checking the • Waste that has high solid content can clog the Daily
pump pump. Pumps must be checked as to prevent debris
from clogging the pump.
• Check that the duty air blower and any pumps are
operating satisfactorily and that no air diffusers are
blocked.
• Check the operation of the scum skimmer and
sludge return mechanism and clear any blockages at
inlet, transfer port or outlet.
MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY

Fitting leak Any nonmetal fitting must be checked Every 6 – 12

checks months

Polishing Polishing treatment stage must be checked and Monthly

treatment stage cleaned and no clogging occur.
check

Check Check that the dosage rate into the final effluent is daily
disinfectant satisfactory on a daily basis, by testing for a
dosage disinfectant residual. Ensure that an adequate
quantity of the disinfectant is available.
MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY

Iron packing Biogas produced by digester are sometimes being used Every 6 – 12
replacement to generate electricity but corrosive hydrogen sulfide months
must be removed by using Iron packing.

Valve leaks check Valves that are not functioning well must be replaced Every 6 – 12
months

Pipe leak check Pipe must be checked for leakage and no open flame Every 6 – 12
should be near inflow or outflow pipe lines months

Cleaning the • Clean the contact tank and remove any sludge Monthly
digester accumulation from the bottom of the tank
corrective maintenance
 PROBLEM CORECTIVE ACTION

Heating:
• the excess water being pumped will • Control its temperature of heating of
increase heating costs. flame arrester

• it could also lower the temperature in • Check regularly the temperature of

the digester if the heating equipment sludge digester
can not keep up with the excess
Pumpage.

• any significant temperature change

could affect the methane formers and a
possible digester upset
 PROBLEM CORECTIVE ACTION

Gas production:
• gas production (methane) would be Check daily gas burner for proper flame.
reduced as the hydraulic overload
could lower temperatures reducing the
effectiveness of the methane formers

Supernatant:
• hydraulic overloading will increase the Drain daily the condensate traps
amount of supernatant volume that
must be returned to the head of the
treatment plant.
• this could cause an organic overload to
the secondary process reducing overall
treatment efficiency because it has a
high oxygen demand, high ammonia,
and is anaerobic
Safety considerations
during the
maintenance
✓ Practice careful personal cleanliness
✓ Require hard hats, boots, and gloves
✓ Ventilate all covered tanks
✓ Prohibit smoking around the plant
✓ Consider empty tanks as enclosed spaces and apply
the proper entry procedures
✓ Keep all hatches closed andsecured
✓ Keep tank areas well lighted
✓ Keep walkways clear to prevent falling
✓ Provide lockout protection for all electrical equipment,
gates or valves when working in empty tanks
 Important!!!

• Regular tests, maintenance and adjustments must be carried out by a

competent person to maintain plant operation at optimum performance
level.
• Operating instructions
The contractor’s detailed operating and maintenance instructions,
including a plan drawn to scale showing location of plant items and
inspection openings, should be kept by the owner at the plant.
• Service maintenance contractors
For easy reference in case of plant failure, the names, addresses and
telephone numbers of service and maintenance contractors should
be shown on the maintenance schedule.
 REFERENCE
a) Massart, N., Bates, R., Corning, B., and Neun, G. (2006). Design and operational
considerations to avoid excessive Anaerobic digester foaming. Cincinnati, Ohio:
Water Environment Foundation

b) Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2009). Anaerobic Digester. Retrieved on

4March 2013, from:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs143_026149.pdf

c) Sharvelle, S. (n.d.). Maintaining Your Anaerobic Digester. USA : Colorado State

University.

d) Environmental Protection Agency. (1997). Code Of Practice For Small Wastewater

Treatment Plants. Victoria : EPA Victoria