BioWin modelling to reduce the Avonmouth digester commissioning programme from 6 months to 6 weeks

Gergely Forgacs, Martin Smyth, Ian Law, Thomas Arnot

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

In this study a novel accelerated restart strategy has been developed for a two stage anaerobic digestion system, involving acid phase digestion of sewage biosolids, followed by mesophilic digestion. The strategy involves start-up of the acid phase process, and then restart of the secondary mesophilic digesters, following a feed starvation period, and without re-inoculation. Process simulation with BioWin 4.1 software was coupled with continuous lab-scale trials to inform a full sized trial, which in turn defined the full plant restart schedule. Biosolids feed shut down period, and feed loading and feed acceleration rates were explored via lab-scale trials and simulation. The lab and simulation trials lead to the proposal of a 21 day restart profile for start-up and recovery of the two-stage anaerobic digestion process. This profile involved an initial feed load of 39% of the normal steady-state flow, and a 5% daily feed flow ramp up rate, following a 3 week starvation period. This accelerated restart strategy was successfully deployed on a 24,500 m3 anaerobic digester system in the UK. During restart the concentration of VFAs remained less than 1,500 mg L-1, whilst pH and alkalinity were stable around 7.8 and 5,000 mg L-1, resulting in a stable recovery.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2017
EventEUROPEAN BIOSOLIDS AND ORGANIC RESOURCES CONFERENCE - Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK United Kingdom
Duration: 20 Nov 201721 Nov 2017
http://european-biosolids.com/

Conference

ConferenceEUROPEAN BIOSOLIDS AND ORGANIC RESOURCES CONFERENCE
Country/TerritoryUK United Kingdom
CityLeeds
Period20/11/1721/11/17
Internet address

Keywords

  • anaerobic digestion
  • Simulation and Modeling
  • BioWin
  • Sludge digestion
  • waste water treatment
  • acid phase digestion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering

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