Anaerobic

Digester Design

Jae K. (Jim) Park, Professor

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1

Information Checklists for Design of

Sludge Stabilization Facility
1. Select the ultimate sludge disposal method as the degree of
sludge stabilization will depend on the requirements of the
disposal practice.
2. Develop the characteristics of thickened sludge that will reach
the sludge stabilization facility.
3. Select the sludge stabilization method that is compatible with
the influent sludge characteristics, dewatering, and ultimate
disposal method.
4. Develop design parameters (organic loading, hydraulic loading,
chemical dosage, reaction period, etc.) for the selected sludge
stabilization facility.
5. Obtain the design criteria from the concerned regulatory agency.
6. Obtain necessary manufacturers catalogs and equipment
selection guides.
2

Design Criteria for

Anaerobic Digester Design (1)
1. Select anaerobic sludge digestion for stabilization of organic solids.
2. Provide two completely-mixed, high-rate anaerobic heated digesters
with digestion temperature of 35C.
3. The design flow to the sludge digester shall be equal to thickened
sludge under the daily design flow condition.
4. Total volatile solids loading to the digester shall not exceed 3.6
kg/m3day under extreme high loading condition.
5. The solids retention time at extreme high-flow condition shall not be
less than 10 days.
6. The digester mixing shall be achieved by internal gas mixing.
7. The solids content in digested sludge is 5% and S.G. is 1.03.
8. The TSS content in the supernatant is 4,000 mg/L.
9. The ratio TVS/TS = 0.71, Y = 0.05 g VSS produced/g BOD 5 utilized,
E = 0.8, and kd = 0.03 1/day.
3

Design Criteria for

Anaerobic Digester Design (2)
10.

The digester heating shall be achieved by recirculation of sludge through external heat exchanger. The sludge
recirculation system shall also be designed to provide digester mixing.

11.

Provide floating digester cover for gas collection.

12.

The heat loss from the digester cover, side walls, and floor shall be calculated using the standard heat transfer
coefficients for the digester construction material.

13. Provide gas-fired hot water boiler for external heat exchanger.
14.

Explosion prevention devices shall be provided to minimize the possibility of an explosive mixture being developed
inside the floating covers. Proper flame traps shall be provided to assure protection against the passage of flame into
the digester, gas storage sphere, and supply lines.

15.

The digester design shall include supernatant withdrawal system, sight glass, sampler, manhole, etc.

16.

Arrangement shall be provided to break the scum that may form on the sludge surface.

Characteristics of Sludge
Reaching Anaerobic Digester
Average
Extreme
Extreme
Factors
flow low flow high flow
Sludge production, kg/day 8,180 6,952a 8,681b
Solids concentration, % dry wt 6 8 4
Specific gravity 1.03
1.04
1.02
Average daily flow rate, m3/day 132 84 213c
Pumping rate into each digester 0.85d 0.85
0.85
during the pumping cycle, m3/min
Influent temperature, C 21 30 12
Volatile solids fraction before digestion 0.71
0.71

0.71

Extreme low solids to the digester = 85% of the average solids loading
bExtreme high solids to the digester = quantity of thickened sludge withdrawn under
sustained loading = 10,213 kg/day (p. 664 Step A.3) 0.85 (solids capture) = 8,681 kg/day
c8,681 kg/day103 g/kg(0.04 g/g1.021 g/cm3103 L/m3) = 213 m3/day
dThe pumping rate of 0.85 m3/min gives a velocity of 0.8 m/sec in the 15-cm diameter pipe.
a

Design Example (1)

A. Digester Capacity and Dimensions
1. Compute digester capacity at average flow condition using 15 days digestion
period
Assume average flow to the digester = 132 m3/day
Digester volume = 132 m3/day 15 days = 1,980 m3
2. Compute digester capacity using volatile solids-loading factor
Assume VS loading at ave. flow condition = 2.5 kg/m3day (< 3.6)
Total VS reaching the digester = 8,180 0.71 = 5,808 kg/day
Digester volume = 5,808 kg/day 2.5 kg/ m3days = 2,323 m3
3. Compute digester capacity using volume per capita allowance
Assume 0.03 m3 digester capacity per capita
Population served = 80,000
Digester capacity = 80,000 0.03 m 3 = 2,400 m3
4. Compute digester capacity using volume reduction method (67%)
Volume of the digested sludge = 97 m3/day (AS Design Slide #24)
Volume of raw sludge to the digester = 132 m3/day (AS Design Slide #24)
Digester capacity = [132 0.67 (132 97)] 15 = 1,630 m3
6

Design Example (2)

5.

Select digester capacity

Select active digester capacity of 2,500 m3.

B. Digester Dimensions and Geometry

1.

Correct for volume displaced by grit and scum accumulations, and floating cover level
Provide 1-m depth for grit accumulation
Provide 0.6-m depth for scum blanket
Provide 0.6-m min. space between floating cover and max. digester level
Total displaced height = 1 + 0.6 + 0.6 = 2.2 m
Assume that the active side water depth is 8 m (26.3 ft). additional volume will be available in the cone.
Volume of each digester = 1,250 m3

Design Example (3)

Area of each digester = 1,250 m3 8 m = 156.3 m2
Diameter of each digester = (4/ 156.3 m2)0.5 = 14.1 m
Because floating covers come in 5-ft (1.5-m) diameter increments, provide digesters with 45-ft (13.7 m)
diameter.
Revised side water depth = 1,250 m3 [/4 (13.7 m)2]
= 8.5 m (27.9 ft)
Provide two digesters each 13.7 m (45 ft) diameter and 8.5 m (28 ft) side water depth.
2.

Check the active vol. of the digesters, including vol. of cone

The floor of the digester is sloped at 1 vertical to 3 horizontal.
1 (vertical):3 (horizontal) = h:(13.7/2) h = 2.28 m 2.3 m
The bottom cone depth of 2.3 m adds additional volume.
Active digester volume = (Vol. of active cylindrical portion)
+ (Total vol. of the cone) - (Allowance for grit
accumulation) = /4 (13.7 m)2 7.3 m + 1/3 /4
(13.7 m)2 2.3 m - 1/3 /4 (6.0 m)2 1 m
= 1076.1 m3 + 113 m3 - 9.4 m3 = 1,179.7 m3

2.3 m
1m

8.5 m Scum blanket (0.6 m) Space below floating cover (0.6 m) = 7.3 m
8

10

Design Example (4)

Active vol. of two digesters = 2 1,179.7 m3 = 2,359.4 m3
Total vol. of two digesters = 2 (/4 13.7 m2 8.5 m +
113 m3) = 2,732 m3
Active vol. ratio including cone = 2,359.4 m3 2,732 m3
= 0.86
C. Actual Solids Retention Time and Solids Loading
1.

Compute actual digestion period at average, extremely low, and extremely high flows
Digestion period at average flow = 2,359.4 m3 132 m3/day
= 17.9 day
Digestion period at extreme high flow = 2,359.4 m3 213 (#5)

m3/day = 11.1 day > 10 days O.K.

Digestion period at extreme low flow = 2,359.4 m3 84 (#5)

m3/day = 28.1 day

2. Compute actual solids loading at average, extreme low, and extreme high conditions

11

Design Example (5)

Solids loading at ave. loading condition = 8,180 kg TS/day

0.71 VS/TS 2,359.4 m3 = 2.5 kg

VS/m3day
Solids loading at ave. loading condition = 6,952 kg/day 0.71
VS 2,359.4 m3 = 2.1 kg VS/m3day
Solids loading at ave. loading condition = 8,681 kg/day 0.71
VS 2,359.4 m3 = 2.6 kg VS/m3day
D. Gas Production
1. Calculate gas production
BOD in the thickened sludge (Stream 10) = 4,253 kg/d (AS Design Slide #24)
5
BOD in sludge = 4,253 kg/d BOD /0.68 BOD = 6,254 kg/d
L
5
L
Assume 65% solids are biodegradable and 1 g of biodegradable solids = 1.42 g BOD , Y = 0.05, k = 0.03
L
d
1/day, and E = 0.8.

12

Design Example (6)

YQ0 ES0 (103 g/kg)

Px
1 k d c

6,254 kg/day
3

(10
g/kg)
3
132 m /day
163 kg/day
1 0.03 1/day 17.9 day

0.05 132 m 3/day 0.8

Stabilization Slide #26

V = 0.35 m3/kg (EQ S 10-3 kg/g - 1.42 P ) = 0.35 m3/kg

0 0
x
(0.8 132 m3/day 6,254 g/m3 10-3 kg/g 1.42
163 kg/day = 1,670 m3/day
If methane is 66% in the digester gas,
Digester gas production = 1,840 m3/day 0.66 = 2,531 m3/day
2. Estimate gas production from other rules of thumb
a.

Based on VS loading using VS = 0.75 of TS and gas production rate of 0.5 m3/kg VS
Gas produced = 8,180 kg/day 0.71 0.5 m3/kg
= 2,904 m3/day

b.

Based on VS reduction
13

Design Example (7)

Assume average VS reduction of 52% and gas production of 0.94 m3/kg VS reduced
Total VS reduced = 8,180 0.71 0.52 = 3,020 kg/day
Gas produced = 3,020 kg/day 0.94 m3/kg = 2,839 m3/day
c. Based on per capita
Total population served = 80,000
Used gas production rate of 0.032 m3/capita
Gas produced = 80,000 persons 0.032 m3/personday
= 2,560 m3/day
Based on the above analysis, assume a conservative gas production rate of 2,550 m3/day at standard
conditions (0C and 1 atm).
E. Digested Sludge Production

1.

Compute the quantity of solids in digested sludge

TVS = 8,180 kg/day 0.71 = 5,807 kg/day
TVS destroyed = 5,807 kg/day 0.52 = 3,020 kg/day

14

Design Example (8)

TS remaining after digestion = Nonvolatile solids + VS
remaining = (8,180 - 5,807) kg/day + 0.48 5,807 kg/day
= 5,159 kg/day

2.

Compute total mass reaching the digester

Total solids reaching the digester = 8,180 kg/day (AS Design #24)
Total solids in thickened sludge = 6% by wt
Total mass reaching digester = 8,180 kg/day 0.06 kg/kg
= 136,317 kg/day

3.

Compute volume and TSS in digested sludge and the digester supernatant
Assume that no liquid volume change occurs in the digester
Vol. of influent thickened sludge (V

) = Vol. of digested
inf
sludge removed from digester (V
) + Vol. of digester
sludge
supernatant (V
)
supernatant
V
= 132 m3/d; W
= 5,139 kg/d
sludge
remaining
V
=W
/(0.05 g/L 10-3 kg/g 103 L/m3 1,030)
sludge
sludge

15

Design Example (9)

4.

W
= Total solids remaining after digestion in digested
supernatant
sludge W
= 5,159 kg/d - W
sludge
sludge
W
= 5,021 kg/d; W
= 138 kg/d; V
= 98 m3/d;
sludge
supernatant
sludge
V
= 35 m3/d (similar to mass balance)
supernatant
Determine the mass and concentration of the components in digested sludge and supernatant

Parameter

Digested sludge, kg/d (Stream 12)

Flow, m /d
TSS
BOD5
Org.-N
NH4+-N
NO3N
TN
NPP
PP
TP
TVSS/TSS ratio
Biodeg. solids/TSS
Org.-N/TVSS
NPP/TVSS

97 (98 )
5,008 (5,021a)
1,596
320
44
0
364
67
126
193
0.54
0.33
0.12
0.025

Supernatant (Stream 13)

kg/d
35 (35a)a
140 (138 )
105
19
16
9
35
7.4
7.4

mg/L
4,000 (3,942a)
3,000
533
453
0
986
211
211

a computed
16

Design Example (10)

5. Select a supernatant selector system
To withdraw liquid from the top.
a. Allow direct visual inspection of sludge
b. Allow removal of clear liquid from the top
c. Permit operation by one person
d. Be extremely reliable
e. Minimize the danger of allowing air
to enter the digester
f. Be easy to service in
case of blockage
grease, scum or
by sludge

17

Design Example (11)

F. Influent Sludge Line to the Digester
Intermittent pump operation at 0.85 m3/min for each thickener controlled by a timer.

15-cm (6-in) diameter

18

Design Example (12)

G. Digester Heating Requirements
1.

Compute heating required for raw sludge

H = Q C (T T )
R
0
p 2
1
where H = heat required, J/day; C = specific heat of sludge (same as for water = 4,200 J/kgC or 1
R
p
BTU/lbC); T = digestion temperature, C; and T = temperature of the thickened sludge, C.
2
1
The critical heat requirement for raw sludge is reached when sludge flow is maximum and influent
temperature is lowest:
Heat req. = 8,681 kg/day 4,200 J/kgC (35 12)C
0.035 kg/kg = 2.39 1010 J/day

2. Compute heat loss from the digester

H = UA (T T )
L
2
1
where H = heat loss, J/hr; U = overall coefficient of heat transfer, J/secm2C (BTU/hrft2F); A = area
L
through which heat loss occurs, m2 (ft2); T = digester operating temperature, C (F); and T = outside air
2
1
temperature, C (F).

Critical average air and ground temperatures are 0 and 5C, respectively.
19

Design Example (13)

Heat losses from the digester occur from the roof, bottom, and side walls

a.

Compute area of roof

Roof slope = 15:1 = (13.7/2) m:0.46 m
Roof area = D(slant length)/2
2

D
2
(Vertical rise of cover)
2

Slant height

13.7 m
2

(0.46
m)
6.87 m

Roof area = ( 13.7 m 6.87 m)2 = 147.9 m2

b. Compute area of side walls

Area of side wall above ground level = D Exposed height

Assume 50% side wall is exposed
Side wall area above ground = 13.7 m8.5 m/2=182.9 m2

20

Design Example (14)

Area of side wall below ground = 182.9 m2
c.

Computed bottom area

Digester bottom is sloped at 1 vertical to 3 horizontal.
Total drop of the bottom slope at the center = D (2 3)
= 13.7 m (2 3) = 2.3 m
Bottom area = 13.7 m (13.7 m/2)2 + (2.3 m)2
= 155.5 m2

d. Select overall coefficients of heat transfer for different areas

Digester floating covers and roofing consist of 6.5-mm (1/4-in.) plate steel, 76-mm (3-in.) rigid foam
insulation*, inside air space, and buildup roofing - 1,236 kg/m2 (70 lb/ft2) U = 0.9 J/secm2 C
(BTU/hrft2F)
* Common insulating materials are glass wool, insulation board, urethane foam, lightweight insulating
concrete, dead air space, etc.
J/secm2 C 0.1763 = BTU/hrft2F

21

Design Example (15)

Exposed digester side 300-mm (12-in.) concrete, 76-mm (3-in.) urethane foam insulation, 100-mm (4-in.)
brick siding U = 0.68 J/secm2 C
Buried digester side 300-mm (12-in.) concrete surrounded by moist soil U = 0.8 J/secm2 C
Digester bottom surrounded by moist soil U = 0.62 J/secm2 C
e.

Computed heat loss from the digester

Heat loss from the cover and roofing = 147.9 m2 0.9
J/secm2 C (35 0)C 86,400 sec/day
= 4.03 108 J/day
Heat loss from exposed wall = 182.9 m2 0.68 J/secm2 C
(35 0)C 86,400 sec/day
= 3.76 108 J/day
Heat loss from buried wall = 182.9 m2 0. 8 J/secm2 C
(35 0)C 86,400 sec/day
= 4.43 108 J/day

22

Design Example (16)

Heat loss from bottom = 155.5 m2 0.62 J/secm2 C
(35 5)C 86,400 sec/day
= 2.50 108 J/day
Total heat loss from each digester = 14.72 108 J/day
Total heat loss from both digesters, including 20% minor
losses, and 25% emergency condition = 14.72 108 J/day
2 1.45 = 5.09 109 J/day
f. Compute the heating requirements for the digester
Heat requirements for raw sludge
under critical condition

= 2.39 1010 J/day

Heat loss from the digester = 42.69 108 J/day

Total heating requirement

= 2.82 1010 J/day

= 1.175 109 J/hr

= 1.175 106 kJ/hr

23

Design Example (17)

H. Selection of Heating Units and Energy Balance
1. Select external heat exchanger
Provide two heating units each rated as 1.25 106 kJ/hr (1.19 106 BTU/hr) with natural gas. The
digester gas has approx. 65% of the heating value of the natural gas (37,300 kJ/m3). Therefore, each unit
will be derated at 1.25 0.65 (0.813) 106 kJ/hr (0.77 106 BTU/hr). Total heat provided by two
units = 2 0.813 106 = 1.626 106 kJ/hr.

2.

% extra capacity (1.626 106 1.175 106 ) 100

are substantially less.
38%
The actual average heat requirements
6
available
1.175 10
Compute digester gas requirements
At 75% efficiency of heating units

Digester gas
1.626 106 kJ/hr
3
3

89.22
m
/hr

2,141
m
/day
3
needed
0.75 0.65 37,300 kJ/m
24

Design Example (18)

Total quantity of digester gas produced = 2,550 m3/day
This gives approx. 20% excess gas under the most critical condition when the digester heating demand is
greatest. Excess gas will be used to produce heated water for other plant uses.
3.

Design makeup heat exchangers for external sludge heating

a.

Compute average temperature rise of the sludge through the external exchangers
Provide 23-cm (9-in) diameter sludge recirculation pipe, and a constant flow recirculation pump for each
digester. A common external jacketed type heat exchanger will be used to heat the recirculated sludge. If
velocity of 1 m/sec is maintained in the pipe.

Sludge pumping rate

(0.23 m) 2 1 m/sec 86,400 sec/day 3,590 m 3 /day
from each digester
4
3,590 m 3 /day 1.02 1,000 kg/m 3 3.662 10 6 kg/day
25

Design Example (19)

Average sludge temperature entering the external heat exchanger = 35C
Assume average sludge temperature increase after passing through the heat exchanger = TC
Assume specific heat of sludge is 4,200 J/kgC (same as for water)

J
Total heat supplied
4,200
T C 3.662 10 6 kg/day
Total heat
from each digester = 2.82 kg
1010 J/d
= 1.41
to required
the sludge
C(#22)
1010 J/d.
10

1.538

10
T J/day
If the efficiency of the heat exchanger is 80%.
1.538 1010 T J/day 0.8 = 1.41 1010 J/day

1.41 1010 J/day

T
1.15C
10
1.538 10 J/day 0.8
26

Design Example (20)

Average temp. of the sludge entering heat exchanger = 35C
Ave. temp. of the sludge leaving heat exchanger = 36.15C
Sludge recirculation of 3,590 m3/day (660 gpm) in each digester will also provide digester mixing.
b. Compute hot water recirculation rate through the external heat exchanger
Provide one jacketed pipe heat exchanger for both digesters.
Assume that the water enters the jacket pipe at 95C and leaves at 60C.
Drop in heating water temperature = 95 - 60 = 35C
Total heating required for each digester = 1.41 1010 J/day
If 25%additional heating is provided to account for heat losses,
Total heat required per digester = 1.41 1010 J/day 1.25
= 1.76 1010 J/day
Total heat required for both digesters = 3.52 1010 J/day
Total heat available in digester gas = 23,000 kJ/m3 1.162 kg/m3

2,550 m3/d 1,000 J/kJ = 6.82

Using specific heat of water = 4,200 J/kgC

Heating value of digester gas = 23,000 kJ/m3

27

Design Example (21)

Total heat supplied by water = 4,200 J/kgC 35C
= 147,000 J/kg
Hot water recirculation rate through the common heat
exchanger = 3.52 1010 J/day 147,000 J/kg
= 2.40 105 kg/day
Volume of water recirculated = 2.4 105 kg/day 1,000
g/kg (1 g/cm3 106 cm3/m3) = 240 m3/day
c.

Compute the length of sludge pipe in heat exchanger jacket

Average temp. of the sludge in the heat exchanger
= (35 + 36.15)C 2 = 35.58C
Average temp. of the heating water in the heat exchanger
= (95 + 60)C 2 = 77.5C
Assume heat transfer coefficient of external water jacketed
heat exchanger = 4,000 kJ/hrm2 C (196 BTU/hrft2F)
Total heat radiated from the heating water
= (77.5 - 35.58)C 4,000 kJ/hrm2 C 24 hr/day
= 4.02 106 kJ/daym2
28

Design Example (22)

Total area of the sludge pipe for each heat exchanger
= 1.76 1010 J/day (4.02 106 kJ/daym2 1,000 J/kJ)
= 4.38 m2
Length of 23-cm (9-in) diameter jacketed pipe
= 4.38 m2 ( 0.23 m) = 6 m
Provide 6-m long, 23-cm diameter heat exchanger sludge pipe per digester into a common hot water jacket.
I. Gas Storage and Compressor Requirements
1. Compute the diameter of the gas storage sphere
Provide a total of 3-day gas storage to serve the digester heating requirements and other plant uses
Total gas stored = 3 day 2,550 m3/day
= 7,650 m3 (standard condition, 0C and 1 atm)
Storage pressure = 5.1 atm (assume)
Storage temperature = 50C summer
Storage volume, V = P V T /P T
2
1 1 2 2 1
Subscript 1 stands for gas produced and 2 for gas stored.

29

Design Example (23)

V = 1 atm 7,650 m3 (273 + 50)K [5.1 atm (273 +
2
0)]K = 1,774.7 m3
Provide a high volume gas storage sphere
Volume of sphere = /6 (diameter)3
Diameter of sphere = (1,774.7 m3 6/ )1/3 = 15 m (49 ft)
Provide 15 m (49 ft) diameter sphere for gas storage
2. Compute size of high-pressure gas compressors
Compressors are used to compress the digester gas into the gas storage sphere.
Total weight of digester gas produced under standard conditions = 2,548 kg/day (Step E.3)
Assuming weight of gas compressed is 200% of production rate, then
w = 2 2,548 kg/day 1/864,000 day/sec = 0.059 kg/sec
R = 8.314 kJ/kmolK
e = compressor efficiency of 75%
T = inlet temperature = (273 + 35)C
0

30

Design Example (24)

P = 1.03 atm (gas pressure inside the floating cover is
0
normally less than 0.4 m of water)
P = 5.1 atm

0.283

wRT 0 P

Pw
1
8.41 e P0

0.059 8.314 (273 35) 5.1

8.41 0.75
1.03

0.283

1 13.7kW(17.5hp)

Provide two constant-speed compressors each driven by 7.5 kW (10-hp) electric motor.
J. Digester Gas Mixing
1. Compute power requirements for gas mixing
Power requirements for gas mixing of the digester
P = G2V
where G = velocity gradient, 1/sec.

31

Design Example (25)

The volume of each digester, V = 1,179.7 m3
= 2 times the viscosity of water at 35C
= 2 0.73 10-3 Nsec/m2 = 1.46 10-3 Nsec/m2
Velocity gradient for sludge above 5% solids is over 75 1/sec. Use G = 85 1/sec.
P = 852 1,46 10-3 Nsec/m2 1,179.7
= 12.444 Nm/sec (9,178 ftlb/sec) = 12.4 kW = 16.6 hp
Total power required for two digesters = 2 12.4 kW
= 24.8 kW = 33.2 hp
Provide three compressors each driven by 15-kw (20-hp) motor.
Total power provided for mixing = 45 kw (60 hp)
Two compressors will deliver the required power, while the third compressor will be a stand-by, serving
both digesters.

2. Compute gas flow

The digester gas flow rate for mixing, w, can be calculated using the equation in the previous slide.

32

Design Example (26)

The volume of each digester, V = 1,179.7 m3
= 2 times the viscosity of water at 35C
= 2 0.73 10-3 Nsec/m2 = 1.46 10-3 Nsec/m2

15 kW 8.41 kg/kmole 0.75

0.14 kg/sec
0.283
2.4

8.314 kJ/kmole K 308 K

1

1.03

Gas flow per digester = 0.14 kg/s (1.162 kg/m3 0.86) = 0.14 m3/s

3.

Select digester-mixing arrangement

The digester mixing will be achieved by flow recirculation, raw sludge, and internal gas mixing.
The sludge recirculation of 3,590 m3/day in each digester was calculated in step H3. The sludge will be withdrawn
from the mid-depth and discharged above the scum blanket level to assist in scum mixing.
A multi-port mixing system is provided for effective use of the gas. The gas is withdrawn from the top and recirculated
by means of nine ports for gas injection.

Density of digester gas = 86% of air (1.162 kg/m3)

33

Digester Startup

1. Haul approx. 250 m3 seed and transfer it into one digester.

2. Fill the digester with raw wastewater.
3. Start heating and mixing, and bring to operating temperature.
4. Begin feeding raw sludge at a uniform rate approx. 25% of daily feed per digester. Increase the
loading gradually.

5. Maintain the following records

a. Quantity of TVS fed daily
b. TVS, VS/Alk ratio, and pH
c. Temperature, gas production, and CO2 content in gas
6. At low feeing rate, it is possible to bring normal operation without adding chemicals for pH control.
If VA/Alk ratio rises to 0.8, and pH is below 6.5, addition of chemicals such as lime or soda ash
may be considered.

7. Fairly stable conditions should be reached in 30~40 days if loading is kept below 1 kg VS/m3day.
34

Common Operating Problems

1. A rise in VA/Alk ratio (> 0.3), increase in CO2 content, decrease in pH, rancid or H2S odors are

indication of hydraulic or organic loading, excessive withdrawal of digested sludge, or incoming toxic
materials.

2. Poor supernatant quality may be due to excess mixing, insufficient settling time before sludge
withdrawal, too low supernatant drawoff point, and insufficient sludge withdrawal rate.

3. Foam in supernatant may be use to scum blanket breaking up, excessive gas recirculation, and organic
loading.

4. Thin digested sludge may be due to short circuiting, excessive mixing, or too high sludge-pumping
rate.

5. Tilting floating cover may be due to uneven distribution of load, thick scum accumulation around the
edges, rollers or guide broken or rollers out of adjustment.

6. Binding cover (even when rollers and guides are free) may be due to damaged internal guides or guy
wires.

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Operation and Maintenance

Key Operational Goals

Minimize excess water

Control organic loading
Control temperature
Control mixing
Reduce accumulation of scum
Withdraw supernatant that is low in solids

Routine Digester Operation and Maintenance Checklist

Check digester gas pressure.

Drain daily the condensate traps.
Drain daily sediment traps.
Check daily gas burner for proper flame.
Record daily floating cover position, check cover guides, and check for gas leaks.
Record daily digester and natural gas meter readings.
Check daily and record fuel oil.
Chemical daily gas-mixing equipment for flow and gas.
Check daily pressure relief and vacuum breaker valves.

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