Free nitrous acid pre-treatment of waste activated sludge enhances volatile solids destruction and improves sludge dewaterability in continuous anaerobic digestion

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Wei Wei
  • Qilin Wang
  • Liguo Zhang
  • Andrew Laloo
  • Haoran Duan
  • Damien J. Batstone

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13-19
Journal / PublicationWater Research
Volume130
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Previous work has demonstrated that pre-treatment of waste activated sludge (WAS) with free nitrous acid (FNA i.e. HNO2) enhances the biodegradability of WAS, identified by a 20–50% increase in specific methane production in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. This suggests that FNA pre-treatment would enhance the destruction of volatile solids (VS) in an anaerobic sludge digester, and reduce overall sludge disposal costs, provided that the dewaterability of the digested sludge is not negatively affected. This study experimentally evaluates the impact of FNA pre-treatment on the VS destruction in anaerobic sludge digestion and on the dewaterability of digested sludge, using continuously operated bench-scale anaerobic digesters. Pre-treatment of full-scale WAS for 24 h at an FNA concentration of 1.8 mg NN/L enhanced VS destruction by 17 ± 1% (from 29.2 ± 0.9% to 34.2 ± 1.1%) and increased dewaterability (centrifuge test) from 12.4 ± 0.4% to 14.1 ± 0.4%. Supporting the VS destruction data, methane production increased by 16 ± 1%. Biochemical methane potential tests indicated that the final digestate stability was also improved with a lower potential from FNA treated digestate. Further, a 2.1 ± 0.2 log improvement in pathogen reduction was also achieved. With inorganic solids representing 15–22% of the full-scale WAS used, FNA pre-treatment resulted in a 16–17% reduction in the volume of dewatered sludge for final disposal. This results in significantly reduced costs as assessed by economic analysis. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Research Area(s)

  • Anaerobic digestion, Dewaterability, Free nitrous acid, Pre-treatment, Volatile solids reduction, Waste activated sludge

Bibliographic Note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Citation Format(s)

Free nitrous acid pre-treatment of waste activated sludge enhances volatile solids destruction and improves sludge dewaterability in continuous anaerobic digestion. / Wei, Wei; Wang, Qilin; Zhang, Liguo et al.
In: Water Research, Vol. 130, 01.03.2018, p. 13-19.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review