Techno-economic evaluation of ultrasound and thermal pretreatments for enhanced anaerobic digestion of municipal waste activated sludge

To enhance the anaerobic digestion of municipal waste-activated sludge (WAS), ultrasound, thermal, and ultrasound + thermal (combined) pretreatments were conducted using three ultrasound specific energy inputs (1000, 5000, and 10,000 kJ/kg TSS) and three thermal pretreatment temperatures (50, 70 and 90 °C). Prior to anaerobic digestion, combined pretreatments significantly improved volatile suspended solid (VSS) reduction by 29–38%. The largest increase in methane production (30%) was observed after 30 min of 90 °C pretreatment followed by 10,000 kJ/kg TSS ultrasound pretreatment. Combined pretreatments improved the dimethyl sulfide (DMS) removal efficiency by 42–72% but did not show any further improvement in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal when compared with ultrasound and thermal pretreatments alone. Economic analysis showed that combined pretreatments with 1000 kJ/kg TSS specific energy and differing thermal pretreatments (50–90 °C) can reduce operating costs by $44–66/ton dry solid when compared to conventional anaerobic digestion without pretreatments.

► Combined ultrasonication and thermal pretreatment enhanced bio-gas production.
► Pretreatment improved degradation of various odor causing compounds during digestion.
► A comprehensive economic analysis was presented based on semi-pilot scale data.
► The results can help the industry to select a pretreatment option for anaerobic digestion.