Thermophilic anaerobic digestion
The study followed the microbial community during the startup of a pilot-scale, thermophilic anaerobic digesters treating sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The reactor was started with mesophilic sludge. During the first part of the experiment, the reactor was adapted to thermophilic temperature (55 C). During the second part of the experiment, the organic loading rate was gradually increased.