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Improve digester efficiency with timely digester cleaning

Author: P&H Senesac
by P&H Senesac
Posted: Jun 22, 2019

The organic waste matter such as waste food, sewage, vegetable matter, animal faeces etc are put into the huge pipes of a digester where it decomposes with the help of microorganisms in total absence of oxygen. The anaerobic decomposition produces nutrient rich solids and methane gas that can be utilised as fertiliser and fuel.

Just like the filter of the air conditioner needs to be cleaned so that the efficiency is maintained, similarly the digester may be tech savvy but it still needs to be kept clean or else the proficiency levels of performance go down.With time and usage, debris, sludge, trash and grit start to collect and block the natural working of the digester making it inefficient. Sand, hair, rags etc negatively affect the digester’s operation and the retention time is drastically reduced. The digestion process cannot take place properly and the yield of biogas falls.

The cleaning process involves venting and flushing of the digester. The residual matter is flushed or pumped out and taken away. Expertise and correct tools are essential to carry out effective Digester Cleaning. The biogas needs to be recovered properly and therefore the challenge of proper maintenance of the digester comes up. Countless gallons of sludge and waste are treated daily and the digester ends up over used, tired and dirty. Even if it is a durable piece of equipment, it is exhaustible. Debris starts to accumulate and the machine does not function as usual.

Clogged digesters cannot perform well and they need to be inspected regularly so that they are always kept in good working conditions. Digester Cleaning includes removal of both organic and inorganic matter with help of pressurized water flushing, pumping and venting. The residual solids are disposed and then transported for appropriate disposal.

The bio-solids in the digester are removed with help of sludge pumps but the debris, grit, sand, hair etc are left behind and start to block the pipes. Digester cleaning becomes very important at this stage so that the efficiency of the digester is maintained.

For maintaining proper functionality of the digesters, regular digester cleaning is suggested and the tanks also need to be tested for repair works, corrosions and leaks. Proper performance and operation of the machine has to be assessed periodically and the digester tanks have to be regularly checked so that they perform their best and there is optimum biogas output.Don’t let the biogas plant revenue and the production time be compromised. Digester tankcleaning needs to be regularly scheduled, with the help of trained and experienced digester cleaning contractor.

Poor oxidation time and overloading compromises the work performance of the digester. Cleaning up the digester which gets clammed up due to non-organic and organic solid wastes and sprucing the machine for optimum performance is the best way to benefit maximum out of it! Restoration of normal activity of digester with proper equipmentlike mobile screening units and high powered vacuum trucks will help increase cleaning process.

About the Author

P&H Senesac, Inc. is a leader in cleaning, dewatering, and removal of water, wastewater sludge, and other forms of non-hazardous waste

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Author: P&H Senesac

P&H Senesac

Member since: Feb 21, 2019
Published articles: 11

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