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

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Anaerobically digested biosolids odor generation and pathogen indicator regrowth after dewatering.

Yen-Chih Chen¹, Matthew J Higgins, Steven M Beightol

¹Environmental Engineering Program, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA 17057, USA. yuc12@psu.edu

|March 11, 2011

Summary

Dewatering biosolids can stimulate microorganisms, causing odor and pathogen indicator regrowth. However, microbial activity stabilizes within 1-2 weeks of storage as nutrients and oxygen deplete.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Wastewater Treatment
Biosolids Management

Background:

Anaerobically digested biosolids can undergo microbial changes post-dewatering.
Dewatering processes may induce microbial regrowth and odor generation during storage.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate microbial stimulation in biosolids after dewatering.
To determine if this stimulation leads to pathogen indicator regrowth and odor generation.

Main Methods:

Laboratory incubation simulating biosolids storage.
Monitoring of total volatile organic sulfur compounds (TVOSCs) for odor.
Quantification of fecal coliform densities as pathogen indicators.

Main Results:

Odorant and fecal coliform regrowth patterns showed similar formation and reduction trends.
Microbial induction and subsequent stabilization observed within 1-2 weeks.
Centrifuge shearing likely released substrates and altered oxygen, favoring specific microbial growth.

Conclusions:

Biosolids dewatering can induce microbial regrowth and odor production.
Microbial populations stabilize as substrates and oxygen become depleted.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective biosolids storage and management.