Proceedings

The anaerobic digestion (AD) process has been extensively researched, but the optimisation of fullscale industrial processes still relies on empirical data and local operational experience. This is because
of the complexity of the process microbiology, feed properties and engineering control, which vary from
site to site. The Water Industry has collected extensive data archives on operational mesophilic
anaerobic digestion (MAD) process variables, but little use is made of this information for process
optimisation. The data from more than 90 sewage treatment works from five UK water companies has
been combined and statistically examined to determine the influence and relative significance of major
operational factors affecting process control and optimisation of full-scale industrial MAD systems. A
statistical model of the full-scale MAD process has been developed and showed that digester
performance was correlated to several AD process variables and their interaction effects has the
potential to be used for decision support to aid operators increase AD efficiency.