Comparing of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic fermented sewage sludge based on chemical and biochemical tests

Abstract

In the course of anaerobic sludge treatment (digestion) biogas can be acquired from the sludge, its use for energetic purposes has a determinative significance in a wastewater treatment plant. The biogas, produced in the course of decomposition, covers - among others - a considerable portion of the heat- and electric energy consumption in a wastewater treatment plant, thus an increase of the biogas volume is an outstanding task. It is possible to increase the biogas volume if the anaerobic digestion processes are thoroughly well known. The anaerobic digestion process is determined by temperature, substrate composition, loading, and also by toxic substances that might be present. In our experimental work the thermophilic and mesophilic full scale anaerobic bioreactors of a communal sewage treatment plant were tested by applying usual control parameters and enzyme activity tests. © 2011, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.