title: Enhanced efficiency of industrial-scale anaerobic digestion by the addition of glycosidic enzymes.
abstract: The results of the action of two glycosidic enzymes added to an anaerobic digester processing mixed wastewater sludge are reported in this paper. The experiment was performed at a continuously operating full-scale wastewater treatment plant during a 6-month period. The addition of the enzyme mixture resulted in improved gas production and dewatering properties. Dewatering experiments, both on enzyme-treated and reference sludge on the local centrifuges, indicated that the carbonaceous matter was decreased by 7% in enzyme-treated sludge, and the average dry solids increased from 27% (reference) to 31% in enzyme-treated sludge. The polymer dosage was decreased from 8 to 5 kg/t dry solids. Additionally, practical experiences were gathered concerning the transformation from static laboratory-scale batch experiments to a dynamic continuous industrial scale setup. Preliminary cost calculations showed beneficial aspects and economical feasibility of enzyme addition to an anaerobic sludge digestion process.
authors.affiliation: Recycling Competence Centre, Kemira, Helsingborg, Sweden. michael.recktenwald@kemira.com
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Recktenwald
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wawrzynczyk
authors.forename: Estera Szwajcer
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.forename: Olof
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Norrlöw
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D019149:Bioreactors; D005427:Flocculation; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases