Bugbuster™ Process to Improve Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency
In the Anaerobic Digestion Community we are continually looking for ideas to improve the AD Process, and move it on further into the mainstream.
If like us you had heard of several cell disruption technologies being used, based on ultrasound, but then have heard no more for some time, you will be pleased that the concept has not been abandoned.
Expanding CO2 Bubbles Make More Methane
A new method of sludge treatment which we understand substantially increases the amount of methane generated from anaerobic digestion is being commercially trialled at Yorkshire Water.
The Bugbuster process uses rapid non-equilibrium decompression technology. Its UK creator, Eco Solids International, says this decomposes sewage sludge to produce more biogas and less volatile solids than other anaerobic digestion systems.
The commercial trials at Yorkshire Water's Whittington WwTW are the world's first. They will last six months and are being I monitored by Imperial College London, with initial results expected soon.
The Bugbuster process uses carbon dioxide generated in digestion to treat sewage sludge by compressing and exploding it into a more homogenous matter, thus letting the bacteria decomposing it penetrate more easily.
"The process involves pumping pressurised gas into the sludge where it dissolves. The pressure is then rapidly reduced, allowing the gas to expand and explode the solids in the sludge", explained Martin Jolly, technical specialist at Earth-Tech Engineering, which is conducting the trials.
Eco Solids says the Bugbuster process gives more methane, more electricity, and less residual waste than similar processes so far developed.
It expects that the biogas produced would be enough to run a WwTW, and that a system could recover its installation cost within two years.
Visit the Eco Solids web site for more information.
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