title: Optimization of microwave pretreatment conditions to maximize methane production and methane yield in mesophilic anaerobic sludge digestion.
abstract: The objective of this study was to find optimum microwave pretreatment conditions for methane production and methane yield in anaerobic sludge digestion. The sludge was pretreated using a laboratory-scale industrial microwave unit (2450 MHz frequency). Microwave temperature increase rate (TIR) (2.9-17.1 degrees C/min) and final temperature (FT) (52-108 degrees C) significantly affected solubilization, methane production, and methane yield. Solubilization degree (soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD)/total COD) in the pretreated sludge (3.3-14.7%) was clearly higher than that in the raw sludge (2.6%). Within the design boundaries, the optimum conditions for maximum methane production (2.02 L/L) were TIR = 9.1 degrees C/min and FT = 90 degrees C, and the optimum conditions for maximum methane yield (809 mL/g VS(removed)) were TIR 7.1 degrees C/min and FT = 92 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008697:Methane / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008872:Microwaves; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D008697:Methane