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Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation

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Published on: July 13, 2012

Gas-lift digester configuration effects on mixing effectiveness.

Khursheed Karim¹, Gregory J Thoma, Muthanna H Al-Dahhan

¹Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 3202 Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. kkarim@uark.edu

|June 16, 2007

Summary

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations reveal that conical bottoms and hanging baffles significantly improve mixing in gas-lift digesters. A 45-degree hopper bottom with a baffle reduced poorly mixed zones by threefold, enhancing sludge treatment efficiency.

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Published on: December 25, 2015

Area of Science:

* Engineering
* Environmental Science
* Chemical Engineering

Background:

* Efficient mixing is crucial for optimizing anaerobic digestion processes in gas-lift digesters.
* Non-Newtonian sludge rheology presents challenges for achieving uniform mixing.
* Bottom configuration and internal baffling are key design parameters influencing digester performance.

Purpose of the Study:

* To investigate the impact of digester bottom geometry and hanging baffles on mixing patterns.
* To evaluate the effectiveness of different configurations in reducing poorly mixed zones.
* To assess the influence of non-Newtonian fluid properties on mixing dynamics.

Main Methods:

* Numerical simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
* Solving Navier-Stokes and continuity equations with a finite element method solver.
* Validation against experimental data for accuracy.

Main Results:

* Conical bottoms (25° and 45°) reduced poorly mixed zones compared to flat bottoms.
* A hanging baffle combined with a 45° hopper bottom reduced poorly mixed zones by a factor of three.
* The power law viscosity index (n) had a limited effect on mixing patterns under studied conditions.

Conclusions:

* Digester bottom geometry and hanging baffles are effective in improving mixing efficiency.
* A 45° hopper bottom with a hanging baffle offers substantial improvement in reducing dead zones.
* Further geometric optimization could lead to even greater enhancements in gas-lift digester performance.