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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
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Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation
Published on: July 13, 2012
Effect of recirculation rate on methane production and SEBAR system performance using active stage digester
Cheevanuch Tubtong1, Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Michael Anthony Connor
1The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Optimizing the sequential batch anaerobic digester (SEBAR) system by increasing leachate recirculation rates significantly reduces processing time for fruit and vegetable market waste. Higher recirculation accelerates waste degradation and methane production, offering economic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Organic waste from fruit and vegetable markets presents a significant disposal challenge.
- Anaerobic digestion is a viable method for waste treatment and resource recovery.
- The sequential batch anaerobic digester (SEBAR) system offers a unique approach to managing complex organic waste streams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of treating Thai fruit and vegetable market waste using the SEBAR approach.
- To optimize the leachate recirculation process within the SEBAR system.
- To determine the impact of varying leachate recirculation rates on waste degradation and methane production.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sequential batch anaerobic digester (SEBAR) system.
- Implemented leachate recirculation between freshly filled digesters and a support digester.
- Varied leachate recirculation rates (10%, 20%, 30%) to assess their effects.
- Monitored waste degradation and methane production.
Main Results:
- Increased recirculation rates accelerated waste degradation and methane production.
- Recirculation rates of 20% and 30% reduced the SEBAR cycle period by approximately 7% and 22%, respectively.
- Methane yields increased with higher recirculation rates, reaching 0.0077 l g(-1) VS per day at 30% recirculation.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing leachate recirculation is crucial for enhancing SEBAR system efficiency.
- Higher recirculation rates offer significant reductions in processing time for market waste.
- The SEBAR system with optimized recirculation presents a practical and economically viable solution for adding value to market waste.
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