Abstract
Foaming has been a persistent problem for the operators of anaerobic digesters. Efforts from various researchers have been channeled towards understanding the mechanism of foaming in anaerobic digester however; there has not been an explicit explanation for this phenomenon due to insufficient data on anaerobic digester foaming episodes. In this study, extensive literature review was followed by laboratory setup to monitor foaming in anaerobic digester. Secondary data collected from full scale wastewater treatment plant in combination with preliminary data obtained during the experiment were helpful in widening understanding on the mechanism of foaming in anaerobic digester. This informed the basis for variable selection to be used in developing a predictive model of anaerobic digester foaming. Using a semi-batch laboratory anaerobic digester, organic loading rate, surfactant concentration and biogas production rate were selected as the most sensitive variables as they correlate with anaerobic digester foaming.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Infrastructure and Environment Scotland 3rd Postgraduate Conference |
| Place of Publication | Edinburgh |
| Publisher | Heriot-Watt University |
| Pages | 77-83 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780956595140 |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Dec 2015 |