Abstract
In this study, the positive effects of low-strength ultrasonication (LS-ultrasonication) on the anaerobic digestion (AD) performance were investigated by continuously operating an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBr) and a dry digester. In the ultrasonicated UASBr system (1s per min, 0.05W/mL), ultrasonication enhanced the CH4 production by 38% and 19% in an ambient and a mesophilic condition, respectively. In addition, a different sludge yield and a changed electron flow were observed after ultrasonication. In the ultrasonicated dry digestion system (2s per 30s, 0.0025W/mL), a 40% increase in the production of CH4 was observed after lowering the total solid content of the reactor from 12% to 10%, implying that a high solid content diminished the ultrasonic stimulation effect. Moreover, the ultrasonication strength itself appeared to be a more crucial factor than the ultrasonication density during the application of LS-ultrasonication in the AD system.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 167-173 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Bioresource Technology |
Volume | 141 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2013 |
Keywords
- AD performance
- Dry digester
- Methanogenic activity
- UASBr
- Ultrasonication