Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry
Published on: April 26, 2024
Anaerobic co-digestion of meat-processing by-products and sewage sludge - effect of hygienization and organic loading
1University of Kuopio, Department of Environmental Science, Yliopistonranta I E, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. sami.luste@uku.fi
Abstract:
Anaerobic co-digestion of a mixture of animal by-products (ABP) from meat-processing industry and of sewage sludge was studied at 35 degrees Celsius for co-digesting such by-products in digesters at wastewater treatment plants. The three reactors were fed with ABP mixture and sewage sludge (1) in a ratio of 1:7 (v/v), (2) in the same ratio but with hygienization (70 degrees Celsius, 60 min) and (3) in a ratio of 1:3 (v/v). Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was decreased from 25 to 20 days and finally to 14 days, while organic loading rates (OLR) ranged from 1.8 to 4.0 kg VS/m(3) day. The highest specific methane yields were achieved with 20-days-HRT (1) 400 + or - 30, (2) 430 + or - 40, (3) 410 + or - 30 m(3) CH(4)/t VS. Hygienization improved methane production to a level above the highest OLR applied (feed ratio 1:3 (3)), while the quality of the digestate remained similar to the other reactors.
Related Concept Videos
Microbes and Methanogenesis
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Production of Organic Acids
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Microbes in Food Production

