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Abstract

Anaerobic systems are advantageous for the treatment of industrial effluent for multiple reasons, but there is limited software available to monitor and predict the performance. Software, such as ‘BioWin’ can be used to estimate the percentage of gas methane generated, as well as the reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and other influent parameters. This research has then been applied to two unique sites and scenarios in Australia to test the accuracy and validity of this modelling procedure. One site is operated by a large regional water board, with two anaerobic lagoons used to treat high temperature effluent from a red meat abattoir. The other site features a large covered lagoon which is used to treat effluent from piggeries, which is much lower in temperature, but less contaminated by fats, oils, and greases (FOG’s). By modelling these scenarios, several conclusions can be made about the accuracy of BioWin modelling for anaerobic digestion and methane generation. Firstly, there are issues with the estimation of the TSS and this prediction often varies significantly from the observed site data. This difference is likely because BioWin is designed to model municipal effluent, as opposed to industrial abattoir effluent. Despite this limitation, the COD estimation and HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time) are very accurate. Additionally, the piggery effluent is more accurately modelled that the red meat effluent, as there are less FOG’s in the effluent. A literature review in this field illustrated that red meat effluent presents problems, since a scum layer of FOG’s form on the surface of the lagoon, which prevents full COD degradation and hence reduces the biogas yield. It should be noted that the climatic conditions have a significant impact on the efficiency of treatment, and the high temperature and low rainfall of the sites in Australia present ideal conditions for maximal methane generation. Hence there is a potential requirement for anaerobic lagoon/tank heating within Europe. Despite this limiting factor the use of anaerobic digestion technology is widespread in countries like Germany.

Biography

E-mail: Khmontgomery@outlook.com