Microwave pretreatment for soluble phase mesophilic anaerobic digestion

Abstract

The effect of microwave pretreatment on dewateribility of thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) was determined by centrifuging it at an RCF of 6513 for 30 minfor 6 and 11.85% TS concentrations. Supernatant ofpretreated and untreated samples were filtered through 0.45-lm GF/C grade binder free glass microfiber filters before biological methane potential (BMP) assay. It was found that microwave (MW) temperature had greater impact on removing supernatant from sludge than MW intensity. The highest biogas production was observed with pretreatment at 150° C with low MW intensity which improved biogas production 90% compared to the same volume of supernatant obtained from raw TWAS at 20th day of BMP assay. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog.