Saturday, April 25, 2020

THERMAL HYDROLYSIS – Thermal Hydrolysis is a chemical process in which the organic molecules (in the substrate/ feed material) are split into two parts by the addition of a molecule of water. The process forces the water molecules between the chemical bonds holding together large tissue molecules such as fats, DNA and proteins. As the name suggests thermal hydrolysis uses heat and high pressure to break the cellular tissues down to their original smaller molecular components. This also dramatically reduces viscosity, destroys all infectious agents, and above all it hugely increases biodegradability during fermentation. Using thermal hydrolysis as a feedstock pre-treatment stage before anaerobic digestion increases the biological degradation of organic volatile solids and biogas production considerably. It makes the sludge readily available for digestion by dissolving and decomposing the sludge solids. It also makes the separation of solid and liquid phase after digestion easier. Up to twice the reactor throughput can be achieved compared with an AD plant without it. Thermal bio-solids hydrolysis is a proven technology and is recognized as being one of the most effective ways to enhance biogas production and solids destruction in anaerobic digestion systems. There is a huge potential for the introduction of thermal hydrolysis of municipal waste solids.

Thermal Hydrolysis Plant in Bradford generates record amount of ...
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Thermal Hydrolysis
Tarnow - Cambi - world leader in thermal hydrolysisWhat is Thermal Hydrolysis?
Thermal Hydrolysis Technology Explained
anaerobic-digestion.com





So you want to know; “What is the thermal hydrolysis process?” – and to understand basic thermal hydrolysis technology.
Thermal Hydrolysis is a chemical process in which the organic molecules (in the substrate/ feed material) are split into two parts by the addition of a molecule of water.
What is thermal Hydrolysis? as used in AD PlantsThe process forces the water molecules between the chemical bonds holding together large tissue molecules such as fats, DNA and proteins.
As the name suggests thermal hydrolysis uses heat and high pressure to break the cellular tissues down to their original smaller molecular components.
This also dramatically reduces viscosity, destroys all infectious agents, and above all it hugely increases biodegradability during fermentation.
Using thermal hydrolysis as a feedstock pre-treatment stage before anaerobic digestion increases the biological degradation of organic volatile solids and biogas production considerably.
It makes the sludge readily available for digestion by dissolving and decomposing the sludge solids. It also makes the separation of solid and liquid phase after digestion easier.
Up to twice the reactor throughput can be achieved compared with an AD plant without it.
Thermal bio-solids hydrolysis is a proven technology and is recognized as being one of the most effective ways to enhance biogas production and solids destruction in anaerobic digestion systems.
Benefits of Thermal Hydrolysis
The benefits of hydrolysis as a carried out prior to anaerobic digestion, can be listed as
1.    Disintegration of cell structure of organic materials creates smaller molecules which dissolve
2.    The naturally occurring cell polymers which result provide a form of protein, which is easily digestible during anaerobic digestion
3.    The lower viscosity (more free flowing) sludge allows for easier pumping and digester tank mixing with up to double the normal digester dry solids loading
4.    The fermentation organisms are less stressed, which leads to more stable plant operations.
5.    The availability of so much more of the organic matter to the methanogenic organisms increases substrate (sludge, bio-waste etc) biodegradability and therefore yields more biogas
6.    Separation of liquid and solid portions of the digestate occurs more readily, with dewatering achievable up to 40% total dry solids
7.    The high pressure and temperature of hydrolysis produces a pathogen-free fertilizer, by holding the material at 165° C for 20 minutes
8.         Hydrolysation conditions meet and exceed all known national and international standards and requirements for sterilisation, including EU Animal By Products Regulation (ABPR, 1774/2002/EC) category II & III materials.
Potential for Thermal Hydrolysis as a Part of AD Systems
There is a huge potential for the introduction of thermal hydrolysis of municipal waste solids.
Incorporating thermal hydrolysis in new AD Plants, and retrofitting it to existing plants.
For example, it represents an opportunity for Wastewater Treatment Works operators to increase the rate of solid hydrolysis, increase the extent of volatile solids reduction, and boost biogas production.
At the same time, the more complete reaction achieved brings benefits to the digestate as a fertilizer.
There is an increase in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) solubilization enhancing availability of these essential components of any fertilizer.
Companies Offering Thermal Hydrolysis Process Equipment
Cambi has long been well-known for their Thermal Hydrolysis Sludge Pre-treatment Technology for enhanced Anaerobic Digestion of municipal and industrial sludges.
Cambi has been installing thermal hydrolysis as a pre-treatment to anaerobic digestion, around the world since 1995.
However, there now seems to be a trickle-down effect for thermal hydrolysis as a pre-treatment to anaerobic digestion, to be used for smaller biogas plants, and a greater range of feed materials/ substrates.
Exelys is another company actively promoting this technology, which has a thermal hydrolysis technology that they describe as representing the next generation of bio-solids thermal hydrolysis.
But these example companies are far from being alone in having spotted a business opportunity in thermal hydrolysis within AD Plant Systems.
Many companies not previously active in the AD and Biogas scene, are now also marketing their own thermal hydrolysis equipment from their previous experience of this technology from parallel applications in other closely related business sectors.
New Low Temperature Thermal Hydrolysis Biosolids Technology
Lystek’s proven, low temperature, Thermal Hydrolysis Process is now available and is said to be a cost effective, easy-to-operate, biosolids and organics management.
Implementing a Lystek THP solution will transform your traditional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) into a true Wastewater Resource Recovery Center (WRRC) by harnessing and maximizing the value in these amazing resources.
Lystek’s Thermal Hydrolysis Process
The low heat, low-cost Lystek Thermal Hydrolysis system can be installed as an on-site, (pre or post) anaerobic digestion (AD) solution. It does not interfere with other WWTP processes.
The unique, patented process literally disintegrates microbial cell walls and hydrolyses complex macromolecules into simpler compounds.
This makes the residual volatile solids in digested biosolids more amenable to further biodegradation when introduced into AD and biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems. via Lystek
What is Thermal Hydrolysis? It's The Missing Ingredient for Better Biosolids
Thermal hydrolysis [as installed by United Utilitiesis at Davyhulme WWTW] is a two-stage process combining pressure cooking followed by a rapid decompression.
This combined action sterilizes the sludge and makes it more biodegradable which improves digestion performance.
Sterilization destroys pathogens in the sludge resulting in it exceeding the most stringent requirements for land application.
In addition, thermal treatment adjusts the rheology to such an extent that loading rates to municipal sewage sludge anaerobic digesters can be doubled, and also dewaterability of the sludge is significantly improved.
The first full-scale application of this process for sewage sludge was for the city of Hias in Norway provided by Cambi. Since then, there have been over 30 additional installations globally.
Thermal hydrolysis was central to the implementation of UK water company United Utilities' sludge strategy, which was announced in 2009.
The strategy was based on providing maximum flexibility by enabling a combination of biosolids recycling to land or burning for energy recovery or both depending on fluctuating current and future drivers and legislation. via The Missing Ingredient
Our Answer to “What is Thermal Hydrolysis?” – A Conclusion
So, let's now round-off our article on, “What is “Thermal Hydrolysis?”
Thermal hydrolysis as a pre-treatment to anaerobic digestion is at the time of writing, very much in the news with the announcement that the UK Water Utility company, United utilities will soon start to use the world's largest thermal hydrolysis plant as a pre-treatment stage to their anaerobic digestion plant, at a major UK Wastewater Treatment (Sewage) Works. You can read more information about that here.
We hope that you like our “What is Thermal Hydrolysis” video below. We looked to see whether anyone had created one to explain the answer to “What is Thermal Hydrolysis?” No-one has, so we made the video… You can watch it below:

Associates, Anaerobic Digestion Community Website offers consultancy services and promotes and develops anaerobic digestion and biogas production.
The production of biogas is now very much a proven technology, and AD Technology is bringing big benefits to the rapidly rising number of people that are investing in it. But, we are still finding that a large number of its potential beneficiaries are not aware of the true potential of the anaerobic digestion process.
Our mission is to spread the word about the benefits of anaerobic digestion and biogas production.
This “Anaerobic Digestion Community Website” is maintained as an independent web site by EurIng Steve Last Bsc CEng MICE MCIWM CEnv.

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