Thermal Disintegration of Sewage Sludge as a Method of Improving the Biogas Potential

Abstract

Operating and research experiments indicate that the potential benefits of thermal treatment of sewage sludge before methane fermentation include increasing the biodegradability of substrates, reducing the amount and improving the dewaterability of the fermentate and its hygienization, reducing the emission of odours during stabilization, higher production of biogas, and improving the energy balance of the process. The process of disintegration (liquefaction) can be carried out, for example, through the use of mechanical homogenization, microwaves and ultrasonic waves, chemical agents, thermal methods, and biological processes. The article reviews the literature data on thermal hydrolysis research, from the first source information to the present. The thermal hydrolysis achieved enhanced hydrolysis, biogas potential, and faster sludge degradation during anaerobic digestion without compromising the quality of the end products.