Start Up

Steam clean through maintenance hatch to ensure sterility

Digester filled with bioethanol plant effluent while agitation starts when
operating level reached
Stabilised to mesophilic temperature (35oC)
Headspace purged with Nitrogen gas also biogas piping purged (for
safety and ensure completely anaerobic conditions)
Digester seeded with biologically activated sludge (procured from similar
plant) Produces population of bacteria required for AD. Volume of seed
solid is approximately 4.5% of total volume. (Can reduce the start-up time
to two weeks or less compared to the 40 days of no seeding) Saves on
additional chemicals to control pH
Flow of organic slurry starts at very slow rate and incrementally increased
over ensuring digester conditions remain within the ranges provided;

Temperature between 34.5 and 35.5 C, with 35 C target value.

Ratio of volatile acids/alkalinity less than 0.35
pH between 6.5 and 8.0, with target value of 7.1
Ratio of TS feed/TS in digester between 0.05 to 0.1
Ratio of VS feed/VS in digester between 0.03 to 0.1
o Digester gas methane concentration higher than 55% by volume concentration
Until full flow is increased, the digester effluent can be recycled
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It can take up to 30days to achieve full operation of the digester due to the slow
growth of the anaerobic, methane forming bacteria.

M. Hatzigeirgiou & B. Owsenek (2006) Startup of Anaerobic Mesophilic

Digesters, Water Environment Foundation
P.C. Suryawanshi & A.B. Chaudhari (2013) Operating Procedures of Efficient
Anaerobic Digester Operation, Research Journal of Animal, Veterinary and Fishery
Sciences, Vol 1

Maintenance
When maintenance may be require
Hydraulic washout, temperature loss, mechanical repairs, organic overload or
toxic loading;
All piping can be isolated for cleaning
Nitrogen purge to remove any flammable biogas before access to digester
Suitable plans to replace any failed equipment e.g. agitator
Multiple temperature sensors to ensure mesophilic conditions. Variable
flow on heating system to help maintain system temperature, alter flow
until temperature is equalised. Slow mixing to reduce heat loss through
the thin fixed dome roof.
If hydraulic washout occurs through accidental over pumping recycle
slurry from the digester and reduce the feed rate.

 Organic or toxic over loading increase influent to dilute content

Cleaning
Maximum frequency is once every three years. Cleaning required if Grease or
grit accumulation occurs, mixing efficiency is compromised
(1976) Anaerobic Sludge Digestion Operations Manual, EPA Office of Water.
(2003) Natural resources conservation service conservation practice standard
anaerobic digester controlled temperature. Code 366
Shut Down

Turn off feed and agitation

Drain digester (if going to be restarted leave 15% full)
Purge system with nitrogen
Leave to equalise 1-2 days and re-purge then open to environment