Analysis of anaerobic digester mixing: comparison of long shafted paddle mixing vs gas mixing
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The anaerobic digestion (AD) process is influenced by a variety of operation parameters, such as sludge rheology, mixing, temperature, solid retention time (SRT), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and solids concentration. The optimum in the mixing lies somewhere between no-mixing and continuous mixing, as the lack or excessive mixing can lead to poor AD performance instead. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics steady/unsteady model, incorporating the rheological properties of the sludge, was developed and applied to quantify mixing in a full-scale anaerobic digester. Mechanical and gas mixing solutions were taken into account, keeping constant the daily energy consumption. Results, consisting of velocity magnitude and patterns, dead zone formation and turbulence levels were discussed. Compared to the mechanical mixing, gas mixing had lower percentage of dead zones (about 5% against 50%), larger maximum velocity (about 3 m/s against 1 m/s) as well as larger turbulent kinetic energy levels (0.24 m2/s2 against 0.001 m2/s2).
Source: Water Science & Technology
DOI: 10.2166/wst.2020.248
Authors: U. Bergamo, G. Viccione, S. Coppola, A. Landi, A. Meda, C. Gualtieri
Institutions: University of Salerno, University of Naples Federico II
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W3028432306