Anaerobic waste-wastewater treatment and biogas plants: a practical handbook

153 Pages·2019·4.737 MB·English

by  Akunna, Joseph Chukwuemeka

Anaerobic Waste-
Wastewater Treatment
and Biogas Plants

Anaerobic Waste-
Wastewater Treatment
and Biogas Plants
A Practical Handbook
Joseph C. Akunna
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Akunna, Joseph C. (Joseph Chukwuemeka), author.
Title: Anaerobic waste-wastewater treatment and biogas plants :
a practical handbook / Joseph C. Akunna.
Description: First edition. | Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group,
[2018] | “A CRC title, part of the Taylor & Francis imprint, a member of the
Taylor & Francis Group, the academic division of T&F Informa plc.” | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018008211 (print) | LCCN 2018013732 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781351170512 (Adobe PDF) | ISBN 9781351170505 (ePub) |
ISBN 9781351170499 (Mobipocket) | ISBN 9780815346395
(hardback : acid-free paper) | ISBN 9781351170529 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Sewage--Purification--Anaerobic treatment.
Classification: LCC TD756.45 (ebook) | LCC TD756.45 .A47 2018 (print) |
DDC 628.3/54--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018008211
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
http://www.taylorandfrancis.com
and the CRC Press Web site at
http://www.crcpress.com
Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................................ix
Abbreviations .........................................................................................................xi
Author ...................................................................................................................xiii
1. Biological Treatment Processes....................................................................1
1.1 Process Fundamentals ..........................................................................1
1.2 Anaerobic Processes .............................................................................2
1.2.1 Process Description .................................................................2
1.2.2 Biomass Production .................................................................5
1.2.3 Factors Affecting Process Efficiency .....................................6
1.2.3.1 Start-Up Inoculum ...................................................6
1.2.3.2 W aste Organic Content and Biodegradability ........7
1.2.3.3 Nutrient Availability ................................................8
1.2.3.4 pH and Alkalinity ....................................................9
1.2.3.5 Temperature ..............................................................9
1.2.3.6 Solids and Hydraulic Retention Times ...............10
1.2.3.7 Organic Loading Rate ............................................10
1.2.3.8 Toxic Compounds...................................................11
1.2.3.9 Treatment Configuration: Single- and
Multi-Stage Systems ...............................................14
1.2.4 Applications, Benefits, and Drawbacks ..............................16
1.3 Aerobic Processes ................................................................................16
1.3.1 Process Fundamentals ..........................................................16
1.3.2 Wastewater Treatment ...........................................................18
1.3.3 Aerobic Digestion or Composting .......................................19
1.3.4 Aerobic versus Anaerobic Processes ...................................20
1.4 Anoxic Processes .................................................................................21
2. Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment .............................................................23
2.1 Applications and Limitations ............................................................23
2.2 Wastewater Biodegradability ............................................................24
2.3 Wastewater Pretreatment ...................................................................25
2.3.1 Flow Equalization ..................................................................25
2.3.2 pH Correction .........................................................................26
2.3.3 Nutrient Balance ....................................................................27
2.3.4 Temperature Control .............................................................27
2.3.5 Solids Reduction ....................................................................27
2.3.6 Reduction of Toxic Compounds...........................................29
2.4 Process Variations ...............................................................................29
2.5 System Configuration .........................................................................32
v
vi Contents
2.6 Process Design and Operational Control ........................................33
2.6.1 Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) ........................................33
2.6.2 Solids Retention Time (SRT) .................................................34
2.6.3 Hydraulic Loading Rate (HLR) ............................................34
2.6.4 Organic Loading Rate (OLR) ................................................35
2.6.5 Food/Microorganism Ratio .................................................35
2.6.6 Specific Biogas Yield ..............................................................36
2.6.7 Specific Biogas Production Rate (BPR) ................................36
2.6.8 Treatment Efficiency ..............................................................37
2.6.9 Temperature ............................................................................37
2.7 Performance and Process Monitoring Indicators ...........................37
2.8 Foaming and Control .........................................................................39
3. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) of Organic Solid Residues and
Biosolids .......................................................................................................41
3.1 Applications, Benefits, and Challenges ............................................41
3.2 Mono- and Co-Digestion....................................................................42
3.3 Process Variations ...............................................................................43
3.3.1 Standard Rate Digestion .......................................................43
3.3.2 High-Rate Digestion ..............................................................43
3.3.3 Low-Solids Digestion ............................................................44
3.3.4 High-Solids (or ”Dry”) Digestion ........................................45
3.3.5 Combined Anaerobic–Aerobic System ...............................47
3.4 Process Design, Performance, and Operational Control ...............47
3.4.1 Feedstock C/N Ratio .............................................................47
3.4.2 Retention Time (RT) ...............................................................47
3.4.3 Solids Loading Rate (SLR) ....................................................49
3.5 Biogas Production and Operational Criteria...................................50
3.6 Modes of Operation ............................................................................52
3.6.1 Batch Operation......................................................................52
3.6.2 Semi-Continuous Operation ................................................53
3.6.3 Continuous Operation...........................................................53
4. Pretreatment in Anaerobic Treatment ......................................................55
4.1 Need for Pretreatment ........................................................................55
4.2 Mechanical Pretreatment ...................................................................56
4.2.1 Collection and Segregation ..................................................56
4.2.2 Size Reduction ........................................................................56
4.2.3 Ultrasound (US) .....................................................................57
4.3 Biological Pretreatment ......................................................................57
4.3.1 A naerobic Processes ..............................................................57
4.3.2 Aerobic Composting or Digestion .......................................58
4.3.3 Fungi ........................................................................................58
4.3.4 Enzymatic Hydrolysis ...........................................................59
Contents vii
4.3.5 B io-Augmentation ..................................................................59
4.3.6 B io-Supplementation .............................................................60
4.4 Chemical Pretreatment ......................................................................60
4.4.1 Acid and Alkaline ..................................................................60
4.4.2 Ozonation ................................................................................61
4.5 Thermal ................................................................................................62
4.5.1 H igh Temperature..................................................................62
4.5.2 W et Air Oxidation ..................................................................63
4.5.3 P yrolysis ..................................................................................64
4.5.4 M icrowave (MW) Irradiation ...............................................65
4.6 Combined Processes ...........................................................................66
4.6.1 T hermochemical Pretreatment ............................................66
4.6.2 T hermomechanical Pretreatment ........................................66
4.6.3 E xtrusion .................................................................................67
4.7 Summary of Common Pretreatments ..............................................67
4.8 Assessing the Effects of Pretreatment ..............................................69
4.8.1 C hemical Analysis .................................................................69
4.8.2 B iochemical Methane Potential ...........................................69
5. Posttreatment, Reuse, and Management of Co-Products .....................73
5.1 Biogas ....................................................................................................73
5.1.1 B iogas Utilization ...................................................................73
5.1.2 Biogas Treatment ....................................................................74
5.1.2.1 Moisture and Particulates Reduction ..................74
5.1.2.2 Biogas Upgrading ...................................................75
5.1.2.3 Hydrogen Sulfide Removal ...................................75
5.1.2.4 Simultaneous Removal of CO and H S ..............77
2 2
5.1.2.5 Siloxanes Occurrence and Removal ....................78
5.1.3 Health and Safety Considerations .......................................78
5.2 Liquid Effluents ...................................................................................80
5.3 Digestate Management and Disposal ..............................................81
5.3.1 Characteristics and Management Options ........................81
5.3.2 Aerobic Composting ..............................................................83
5.3.3 Disinfection.............................................................................84
6. Applications in Warm Climates and Developing Countries...............85
6.1 Characteristics of Warm Climatic Conditions ................................85
6.2 Characteristics of Developing Countries .........................................86
6.3 Waste and Wastewater Characteristics ............................................87
6.4 Wastewater Treatment ........................................................................87
6.4.1 Large-Scale Systems ..............................................................87
6.4.2 Micro-Scale Systems ..............................................................88
6.4.3 Waste Stabilization Ponds.....................................................88
6.5 Solid Wastes and Slurries Treatment ...............................................93
viii Contents
7. Case Studies ...................................................................................................95
7.1 Brewery Wastewater Treatment Using the Granular Bed
Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (GRABBR) ..............................................95
7.2 Seaweed Anaerobic Digestion ...........................................................97
7.3 Seaweed Anaerobic Co-Digestion ..................................................101
Appendix A: Worked Examples on Anaerobic Wastewater
Treatment ......................................................................................................105
Appendix B: Worked Examples on Anaerobic Digestion of Solid
Wastes and Biosolids .........................................................................................109
References and Further Reading ....................................................................119
Subject Index ......................................................................................................131
Preface
The decision to write this book comes from discussions with colleagues, for-
mer students, waste and wastewater treatment managers, engineers, design-
ers, and plant operators who believe that there is need for a book that brings
all relevant information under the same “roof,” and is written in a style that is
easily understandable to both subject specialists and nonspecialists. Aspects
of the subject are currently dispersed in different books, journals, manuals,
etc. Some of these materials are often edited and with contributions from
many authors. This makes it sometimes difficult to obtain a clear and consis-
tence thread of information on key aspects of the technological applications.
Furthermore, literature sources from technological providers are useful, but
in most cases, they address their own products and services. This may pres-
ent difficulties in making cost effective process and plant selection decisions.
This book addresses issues highlighted above by collating and presenting
key aspects of anaerobic biotechnology through the perspective of a single
author. The book also provides the requisite basic knowledge on biological
treatment processes in general, as well as on appropriate process design and
operational practices. The book’s simple self-learning style encourages and
enhances individual understanding of the essential aspects without the use
of complex terminologies and equations. The key aspects considered in the
book include fundamental aspects of anaerobic and associated aerobic processes
applied in waste and wastewater treatment; process design, operation, monitor-
ing, and control; plant types, system configurations, and performance capabilities;
co-digestion and feedstock pre- and post-treatment unit processes and operations;
coproducts recovery, treatment, utilization, and disposal; and applications in warm
and in developing countries. This book also aims to guide specialists and
nonspecialists on how anaerobic biotechnology can be part of solutions for
the management of municipal and industrial solid, semisolid, and liquid
residues in various climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions.
The book is made of seven chapters, viz.:
Chapter 1 addresses the relevant fundamental aspects of biological
treatment processes, anaerobic and associated non-anaerobic processes
such as aerobic and anoxic processes, and the factors affecting their occur-
rences and efficiencies. The role of these non-anaerobic processes in the
application of anaerobic biotechnology is also highlighted, and expanded in
Chapters 4–6.
Chapters 2 and 3 address the applications of anaerobic treatment tech-
nology in wastewater, and solid and semisolid (such as biosolids) residues
treatment, respectively. These chapters also highlight the key features com-
mon and different to both applications, particularly in terms of feedstock
ix