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Dissolved hydrogen concentration as an on-line control parameter for the automated operation and optimization of anaerobic digesters
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Dissolved hydrogen concentration as an on-line control parameter for the automated operation and optimization of anaerobic digesters

R. Cord-Ruwisch, T.I. Mercz, C-Y Hoh and G.E. Strong
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol.56(6), pp.626-634
12/1997
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19971220)56:6<626::AID-BIT5>3.0.CO;2-P
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Abstract

The use of dissolved hydrogen as an early warning signal of digester failure and a control parameter to operate anaerobic digesters was investigated. A sensitive, on-line method was developed for measuring trace levels of dissolved hydrogen in a semi-permeable membrane, situated within the biomass of a 1 L laboratory anaerobic digester, using trace reduction gas analysis. At normal operating conditions, the dissolved hydrogen partial pressure (2 to 8 Pa) was found to be linearly correlated with the loading rate of the digester, and was a sensitive indicator of the effect of shockloads as well as gradual overloading. An increase in hydrogen partial pressure above a critical concentration of 6.5-7 Pa indicated the initial stage of digester overloading (i.e., volatile fatty acids accumulation). A H2-based computer control system, using a critical hydrogen partial pressure of 6.5 Pa as the setpoint, was found to be effective for the safe operation of a laboratory digester close to its maximum sustainable loading rate. The existence of a relationship between hydrogen level and organic loading rate was also confirmed on a 600 m3 industrial digester, with digester overloading occurring at hydrogen concentrations above 7 Pa. The results suggest that the dissolved hydrogen concentration is capable of being a sensitive on-line parameter for the automated management of anaerobic digesters near their maximum sustainable loading capacity. The use of dissolved hydrogen as an early warning signal of digester failure and a control parameter to operate anaerobic digesters was investigated. A sensitive, on-line method was developed for measuring trace levels of dissolved hydrogen in a semi-permeable membrane, situated within the biomass of a 1 L laboratory anaerobic digester, using trace reduction gas analysis. At normal operating conditions, the dissolved hydrogen partial pressure (2 to 8 Pa) was found to be linearly correlated with the loading rate of the digester, and was a sensitive indicator of the effect of shockloads as well as gradual overloading. An increase in hydrogen partial pressure above a critical concentration of 6.5-7 Pa indicated the initial stage of digester overloading (i.e., volatile fatty acids accumulation). A H2-based computer control system, using a critical hydrogen partial pressure of 6.5 Pa as the setpoint, was found to be effective for the safe operation of a laboratory digester close to its maximum sustainable loading rate. The existence of a relationship between hydrogen level and organic loading rate was also confirmed on a 600 m3 industrial digester, with digester overloading occurring at hydrogen concentrations above 7 Pa. The results suggest that the dissolved hydrogen concentration is capable of being a sensitive on-line parameter for the automated management of anaerobic digesters near their maximum sustainable loading capacity.

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63 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.83 Bioengineering
3.83.416 Anaerobic Digestion
Web Of Science research areas
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
ESI research areas
Biology & Biochemistry
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