Anaerobic digestion of seven different sewage sludges: a biodegradability and modelling study

Seven mixed sewage sludges from different wastewater treatment plants, which have an anaerobic digester in operation, were evaluated in order to clarify the literature uncertainty with regard to the sewage sludge characterisation and biodegradability. Moreover, a methodology is provided to determine the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 parameters, coefficients and initial state variables as well as a discussion about the accuracy of the first order solubilisation constant, which was obtained through biomethane potential test. The results of the biomethane potential tests showed ultimate methane potentials from 188 to 214 mL CH4 g(-1) CODfed, COD removals between 58 and 65% and two homogeneous groups for the first order solubilisation constant: (i) the lowest rate group from 0.23 to 0.35 day(-1) and (ii) the highest rate group from 0.27 to 0.43 day(-1). However, no statistically significant relationship between the ultimate methane potential or the disintegration constant and the sewage sludge characterisation was found. Next, a methodology based on the sludge characterisation before and after the biomethane potential test was developed to calculate the biodegradable fraction, the composite concentration and stoichiometric coefficients and the soluble COD of the sewage sludge; required parameters for the implementation of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1. The comparison of the experimental and the simulation results proved the consistency of the developed methodology. Nevertheless, an underestimation of the first order solubilisation constant was detected when the experimental results were simulated with the solubilisation constant obtained from the linear regression experimental data fitting. The latter phenomenon could be related to the accumulation of intermediary compounds during the biomethane potential assay.