Application of an innovative ultrasound disintegrator for sewage sludge conditioning before methane fermentation

Abstract

Ultrasonic disintegration is one of the most interesting technologies among all known and described technologies for sewage sludge pre-treatment before the process of methane fermentation. This study was aimed at determining the effects of an innovative ultrasonic string disintegrator used for sewage sludge pre-treatment on the effectiveness of methane fermentation process. In this experiment, we used a device for disintegration of organic substrates, including sewage sludge, with the use ultrasonic waves. Its technical solution is protected by a patent no. P. 391477 - Device for destruction of tissue and cell structures of organic substrate. The volume of biogas produced ranged from 0.194±0.089 dm3/g o.d.m. at loading of 5.0 g o.d.m./dm3 and power of 50 W to 0.315±0.087 dm3/g o.d.m. at loading of 4.0 g o.d.m./dm3 and ultrasounds power of 125 W. The study demonstrated a positive effect of sewage sludge sonication on the percentage content of methane in biogas. Sewage sludge exposure to 125 W ultrasounds increased methane content in biogas to 68.3±2.5 % at tank loading of 3.0 g o.d.m./dm3.