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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Evaluation of Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization for Bioenergy Production
Published on: June 15, 2014
Process intensification of anaerobic digestion: Influence on mixing and process performance
James D McLeod1, Maazuza Z Othman1, Rajarathinam Parthasarathy1
1Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe St., Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Abstract:
The adoption of process intensification to anaerobic digestion can present significant complications for digester mixing and process performance. This work investigated how increasing the solids concentration of the digester sludge influenced the process at various mixing energy inputs. Based on the results, adequate mixing is defined qualitatively as the input of sufficient energy to mobilize the reactor contents without producing significant regions of inhibitory shear force. However, the quantitative definition is dependent on the solids concentration of the sludge. But, the existing design criterion of specific mixing power input based on fluid volume (W/m3) does not represent it well. Therefore, a new design criterion of specific mixing power input based on total solids in the sludge (W/kgTS) is proposed to achieve maximum biogas production using optimum power input. The relationship has its limitations, but it represents a significant step forward in the design and operation of improved digester mixing systems.
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