High organic content waste streams are ideal candidates for energy recovery via anaerobic digestion. Typical anaerobic digesters treat liquids such as high-strength wastewater or high organic content solids that can be formed into pumpable slurries. Industries that can benefit from anaerobic digestion treatment include distilleries, breweries, wineries, food and beverage processing plants, pulp and paper plants, animal farms, food waste facilities, and municipal sludge treatment facilities.
Anaerobic digestion is a net energy producer, in contrast to conventional aerobic treatment, which has high energy requirements especially for aeration purposes. For this reason, it often makes sense to use anaerobic digestion as a pre-treatment step, even if conventional aerobic treatment will ultimately be required to bring the wastewater quality to discharge or recycle and reuse standards. Anaerobic digestion is also often a critical component of a net zero carbon or carbon neutral strategy at facilities, where it is used to offset energy required at the more energy-intensive treatment units.
At Circle H2O we are working with several wastewater dischargers to help them determine if their waste stream is an ideal candidate for anaerobic digestion, as well as determine the biogas and energy benefits that can be expected from such a treatment system.
