Mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge and source sorted biowaste in pilot- and full-scale reactors

The paper presents the results of a pilot- and full-scale experimental campaign on the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge and biowaste both in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The study demonstrated the possibility to increase the specific biogas production from 0.34 to 0.49 m(3)/kgTVS and the gas production rate from 0.53 to 0.78 m(3)per m(3) of reactor per day changing the reactor temperature from the mesophilic (37 degrees C) to the thermophilic (55 degrees C) range. The experimental work was carried out at pilot-scale, and the results match the full-scale behaviour. Ammonia nitrogen recycled from the anaerobic digestion section to the wastewater treatment plant accounted for about 4% of the total nitrogen loading. Digestate characteristics in terms of biological stability and heavy metals content suggested the opportunity of a short time post-aerobic stabilisation, leading to a high quality compost product. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.