Thermal hydrolysis on the edge of thermophilic anaerobic digestion: a pilot-scale operation experience
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60461373%3A22320%2F25%3A43933643" target="_blank" >RIV/60461373:22320/25:43933643 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2026/ew/d5ew00456j" target="_blank" >https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2026/ew/d5ew00456j</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d5ew00456j" target="_blank" >10.1039/d5ew00456j</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Thermal hydrolysis on the edge of thermophilic anaerobic digestion: a pilot-scale operation experience
Original language description
This study investigated the integration of the thermal hydrolysis process (THP) as a pretreatment with thermophilic anaerobic digestion (TAD) at a pilot scale using sludge from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. This is the first pilot-scale evaluation of THP-TAD employing thermophilic inoculum adapted to hydrolysed sludge, offering critical insights into the potential of THP (155 degrees C, 30 minutes) to enhance TAD (55 degrees C) performance and contribute to sustainable sludge management. This study assessed the effects of THP on process stability at reduced hydraulic retention times (HRTs), biogas production, sludge dewaterability, and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) reduction. The THP achieved a sludge disintegration degree of 26.8%, enabling a 50% reduction in HRT without compromising the reactor stability or process efficiency. At an HRT of 12 days, the specific biogas production averaged 0.28 Nm3 kg-1 VSin. Additionally, compared with traditional processes with longer HRTs, THP significantly enhanced ARG reduction, achieving a maximum reduction of 3.5 log units, while improving sludge hygienization and maintaining volatile solids reduction (VSR). Despite performance improvements, THP-TAD requires higher energy input, underscoring the need for optimization strategies. This study demonstrated that THP-TAD is a robust and effective approach for intensifying anaerobic digestion, offering notable reductions in capital costs (digester volume) while addressing critical environmental challenges such as ARG mitigation. Further investigations into sludge thickening and energy efficiency optimization are necessary to fully realize the potential of this technology as a cornerstone of sustainable wastewater management.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10500 - Earth and related environmental sciences
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/SS01020112" target="_blank" >SS01020112: Technologies for removal of antibiotic resistance genes from sewage sludge applied in agriculture</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Environmental Science-Water Research & Technology
ISSN
2053-1400
e-ISSN
2053-1419
Volume of the periodical
12
Issue of the periodical within the volume
2
Country of publishing house
GB - UNITED KINGDOM
Number of pages
14
Pages from-to
563-576
UT code for WoS article
001635254600001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105024578786