Combining Shift to Biogas Production in a Large WWTP in China with Optimisation of Nitrogen Removal

Mónica Vergara-Araya, Verena Hilgenfeldt, Heidrun Steinmetz and Jürgen Wiese
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Mónica Vergara-Araya: Department for Water, Environment, Construction, and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
Verena Hilgenfeldt: Institute Water Infrastructure Resources, University of Kaiserslautern (TUK), 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
Heidrun Steinmetz: Institute Water Infrastructure Resources, University of Kaiserslautern (TUK), 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
Jürgen Wiese: Department for Water, Environment, Construction, and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Despite the huge current challenges in sewage sludge treatment and disposal in China, anaerobic sludge stabilisation (AnSS) is still not a state-of-the-art process in WWTP in the country. However, the potential benefits of anaerobic sludge stabilisation may outweigh the drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is the backload from the sludge liquor that increases the nutrient load in the biological treatment stage. This work shows via computer modelling that not only can the sludge production and disposal costs be significantly reduced, but also that, with sensible automation and operational strategies (e.g., bypass of primary clarifiers, use of a centrate dosing strategy, incorporation of ammonium nitrogen sensors, etc.), the effects of the backload can be counteracted for nitrogen removal, even considering that wastewater in China often has an unfavourable C/N ratio for nitrogen removal. The tested strategies would even improve the overall plant performance in terms of norm compliance, sludge production, energy use, and energy production

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; biogas; energy efficiency; ICA-strategies; nitrogen removal; sludge treatment; WWTP modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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