TM 5-814-3/AFM 88-11, Volume III
b. Anaerobic sludge digestion.
(1) Process description. Anaerobic sludge digestion is the destruction of biological solids using bacteria
which function in the absence of oxygen. This process produces methane gas which can be used as an energy
source and can make anaerobic digestion more economically attractive than aerobic digestion. The larger the
treatment plant, the greater the economic incentive to use anaerobic digestion. However; anaerobic digestion
is considerably more difficult to operate than aerobic digestion. The methane produced could be of great
benefit in cold regions as a supplemental source of heat. Appendix E presents detailed information concerning
insulation of reactors and piping in cold climates. Therefore, the decision to use anaerobic digestion must
carefully evaluate the operational capability of the installation.
(2) Objectives. The objectives of anaerobic digestion are the stabilization of organic solids, sludge
volume reduction, odor reduction, destruction of pathogenic organisms, useful gas production, and the
improvement of sludge dewaterability. Volatile solids typically are reduced by 60 to 75 percent, with final
volatile matter contents of 40 to 50 percent.
(3) Conventional (standard-rate) digestion systems. This type of system will consist of a single or
two-stage process for which tanks will provide for digestion, supernatant separation, and concentration under
the following loadings. Two-stage processes are more applicable for plants having capacities of more than
1 million gallons per day. The retention period in the first stage tank will be 8 days and 22 days in the second
stage tank. The minimum total retention time will be 30 days if the tank is heated to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unit capacities required for separate unheated tanks will be increased in accordance with local climatic condi-
tions but not less than twice the value indicated for each of the three sludge sources in table 16-14.
(4) High-rate digestion. The high-rate digestion process differs from the standard-rate process in that
the solids loading rate is much greater (up to 4 times). The retention period is lower (one-half), mixing
capacity is greater and improved, and the sludge is always heated. High-rate tanks will be those where the
digestion process (accomplished separately from supernatant separation, and sludge concentration and
storage) includes rapid and intimate mixing of raw and digesting sludge in the entire tank contents with an
operating temperature of 95 degress Fahrenheit. The process will be a two-stage system applicable for
treatment plants with capacities greater than 1 million gallons per day and with the primary digestion tank
considered the high-rate tank. If sludge drying beds or ponds are to be used for dewatering of the digested
sludge, the retention time of the solids in the primary digester will be 15 days. If mechanical sludge
dewatering processes are employed, the retention time in the primary digester may be reduced to 10 days.
The secondary digester must be of sufficient capacity to provide for supernatant separation and storage of
digested sludge. The primary digestion tanks will be sized to provide 75 percent of the total design tank
volume (table 16-15).
16-24
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