Improved bioproduction of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from excess sludge under alkaline conditions

The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from excess sludge was conducted in batch fermentation tests at different pH values ranging from 4.0 to 11.0. Experimental results of the impacts of different pHs on SCFAs production showed that during the first 8-day fermentation time the total SCFAs production at either pH 9.0 or pH 10.0 was much greater than that at acidic or neutral pH, and the maximal yield of 256.2 mg SCFAs-COD per gram of volatile suspended solids (VSS) was at pH 10.0, which was, respectively, over 3 and 4 times that at pH 5.0 and uncontrolled pH. Clearly, SCFAs production from excess sludge could be significantly improved and maintained stable by controlling the fermentation pH at 10.0. The composition of SCFAs and the percent distribution of individual SCFAs accounting for total SCFAs at pH 10.0 were analyzed. The SCFAs consisted of acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, n-butyric, isovaleric, and n-valeric acids, and acetic acid was the most prevalent product with a fraction of 40-55%. Because the results of this study were different from those of previous studies of SCFAs production, the mechanism of increased SCFAs production under alkaline conditions was investigated. Results showed that as soluble COD increased, more soluble protein was provided as the substrate for producing SCFAs. In addition, less or even no SCFAs were consumed by methanogens at alkaline pH, so the SCFAs production was therefore remarkably improved. Further investigation revealed that the formation of SCFA at pH 10.0 was dominated by biological effects rather than by chemical hydrolysis.