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Impact of dewatering technologies on specific methanogenic activity
Damien J Batstone1, Yang Lu1, Paul D Jensen1
1Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Water Research
|August 26, 2015
Summary
Dewatering methods impact anaerobic digester microbial communities and activity. Rotary drum thickening minimally affects methanogens, while centrifuges significantly reduce activity, highlighting the need for careful process management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Waste Management
Background:
- Dewatering technologies are crucial for anaerobic digestion (AD) efficiency.
- Recuperative thickening and final dewatering can alter microbial communities and methanogenic activity.
- Understanding these impacts is vital for optimizing AD processes and digestate utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of dewatering methods on methanogenic activity and microbial communities in anaerobic digesters.
- To compare the effects of rotary drum recuperative thickening versus centrifuge-based final dewatering.
- To identify factors influencing microbial resilience to dewatering stresses.
Main Methods:
- Tested specific methanogenic activity in various streams across seven AD plants (two with rotary drum thickening, five without).
- Assessed digester microbial community structure using 16S pyrotag sequencing and principal component analysis (PCA).
- Correlated dewatering methods, operational parameters, and microbial community composition with methanogenic activity.
Main Results:
- Centrifuge dewatering significantly reduced methanogenic activity by an average of 54% (20-90% range).
- Rotary drum thickening showed minimal impact on methanogenic activity (0-20% drop).
- Recuperative thickening predicted overall microbial community structure, and microbial community composition predicted shear sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Centrifuge dewatering poses a significant risk to methanogenic activity, potentially limiting return rates.
- Rotary drum thickening is a less disruptive method for recuperative thickening.
- Microbial community resilience and cake solids content influence sensitivity to shear forces, suggesting tailored dewatering strategies are necessary.
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