Integrating biokinetics with computational fluid dynamics for energy performance analysis in anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective process for decomposing organic matter in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) where highly efficient digesters properly mix the sludge. To ensure a uniform substance distribution, a comprehensive modeling method is necessary. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) helps in the modeling of AD tanks but few studies have focused on integrating hydrodynamics with biokinetics because of complex AD processes. The current study presents a new CFD platform for estimating the biokinetics of WWTPs to assess the energy performance of AD tanks. The presented method is validated by numerical and experimental studies, and facilitates a link between methane production and mixing energy consumption. The on-site settings of the recirculation mixing system in the studied WWTP was able to prepare a uniform mixture of the material. However, reducing mixing rate to decrease energy consumption did not lead to proper mixing quality.

Automated summary

This study proposes a new computational fluid dynamics platform to estimate the biokinetics of wastewater treatment plants and assess the energy performance of anaerobic digestion tanks. The method is validated using numerical and experimental studies and provides a link between methane production and mixing energy consumption. The on-site settings of the recirculation mixing system can prepare a uniform mixture, but reducing mixing rate does not result in proper mixing quality and leads to increased energy consumption.