Effect of cavitational disintegration of surplus activated sludge on methane generation in the process of anaerobic conversion

Abstract

The effect of mechanical pretreatment of surplus activated sludge from the wastewater treatment facilities of a plant producing chips (LLC “Frito Lay Manufacturing,” Kashira, Moscow oblast) in a cavitation disintegrator on methane generation in the process of anaerobic conversion is investigated. In laboratory conditions, cavitation disintegration pretreatment of the activated sludge results in a two- to sixfold increase in the transfer of various types of organic materials from the cell suspension into the aqueous phase. It is demonstrated that cavitation pretreatment of the activated sludge makes it possible to produce 31% extra methane as compared to the amount produced from the original sludge.