Distillery Plant Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor comparision of Energy regime in Mesophilic and Thermophilic conditions

Abstract

In this study, comparison of energy regime analysis of mesophilic and thermophilic condition upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating distillery effluent is studied. Percentage COD reduction in thermophilic condition was more by 6.96% than mesophilic condition due to which biogas production increased by 0.1 m3/kg COD removed. In thermophilic temperature condition, methenogenesis was more than acidification than in mesophilic temperature condition; effluent VFA concentration in mesophilic condition was more in thermophilic condition. Stability of thermophilic reactor was more than mesophilic reactor from VFA/ Alkalinity ratio. Waste water treatment plant consumes 2.10 kWh/m3 total energy which comprises of electrical, mechanical and manual energy in mesophilic temperature condition. Input given in the form of electrical energy was 2.07 kWh/m3 and energy recovered in the form of biogas was 185 kWh/m3. Total energy input in thermophilic temperature condition was 1.82 kWh/ m3 and biogas recovery was 211 kWh/m3 in the form of energy. Net saving in energy input was 0.28 kWh/m3 (12.98%) and biogas production increased by 25.9 kWh/m3 (14%) in the form of energy in thermophic temperature condition. Treatment of distillery wastewater in thermophilic temperature condition can be a good option as compared to mesophilic temperature conditions considering the aspect of energy and it seems feasible due to the availability of elevated temperature of the feed for UASB.