After 6 weeks of using Microbe-Lift BIOGAS, VSS removal increased to 37% from the original target of 50%. The plant did not need to build a third anaerobic tank and the odor associated with anaerobic digestion was also significantly reduced.
Empresas Publicas approached Ecological Laboratories to learn about the “ Biological Enhancement Process with Microbe-Lift Technology ” for their anaerobic digestion system. The purpose was to improve the performance of their anaerobic digestion tank. What is the biological enhancement process that Empresas Publicas mentioned? How effective is it? And what has Empresas Publicas achieved after applying this technology to its plant? Let’s find out through the article below!
- Current status of anaerobic digestion system of Empresas Publicas
- Why did Empresas Publicas choose Microbe-Lift technology to improve the performance of anaerobic digester operations?
- Microbe-Lift BIOGAS Microbial Use Plan for Anaerobic Digestion System of Empresas Publicas
- Results achieved
Current status of anaerobic digestion system of Empresas Publicas
Empresas Publicas’ current facility consists of two anaerobic digesters, each with a capacity of 7900 m3. The inflow to the digesters is 1.8 m3/s. This results in an average hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 21 days required for anaerobic digestion to be effective. Prior to the bio-augmentation with Microbe-Lift BIOGAS, the VSS reduction through the two anaerobic digesters was approximately 30% of the input VSS.
Why did Empresas Publicas choose Microbe-Lift technology to improve the performance of anaerobic digester operations?
To enhance the biodegradation capacity in the anaerobic digestion system, it is necessary to improve the existing microbial population in the tank. However, the existing microbial source in the activated sludge of the Empresas Publicas system is indigenous microorganisms (Indigenous Microorganisms), this population is not capable of degrading or is inhibited by a certain factor in the environment.
Therefore, it is necessary to introduce microorganisms that have the ability to metabolize specific pollutants. These can be selected microorganisms or genetically modified microorganisms. This method is called “ Bioaugmentation ”. This is the main factor that has led to the need of Empresas Publicas to use Microbe-Lift BIOGAS containing specially isolated microorganisms, highly active and adapted to harsh environmental conditions, to help increase the microbial population of the system.
Microbe-Lift BIOGAS Microbial Use Plan for Anaerobic Digestion System of Empresas Publicas
The objective of the solution was to reduce the amount of odors generated by the anaerobic digestion process, and at the same time, increase the system’s VSS removal capacity. After a thorough review and evaluation of Empresas Publicas’ existing system, the Microbe-Lift BIOGAS solution was implemented.
Based on the volume of each tank up to 7900 m3, the team of experts has given the recommended dosage for the tanks is 12 mg/l on the first day. Then the dosage is added weekly is 4 mg/l and applied for 4 consecutive weeks, after that will proceed to add weekly maintenance dose 1.5 mg/l.
Results achieved
After 6 weeks of using Microbe-Lift BIOGAS, the VSS removal capacity increased to 37% compared to the initial target of 50%. This improvement has allowed the plant to handle the current load without the need to build a third anaerobic tank. At the same time, the plant has also significantly reduced the odor associated with the anaerobic decomposition process both inside and outside the plant.
