Anaerobic Digestion

Biological waste and the sludge from wastewater treatment processes is treated via a process called anaerobic digestion.

What is anaerobic digestion?

Anaerobic digestion is used to treat the sludge created by the wastewater treatment process, as well as other biological waste. By definition, anaerobic digestion does not use air; instead, a series of microorganisms break down solid waste into methane and carbon dioxide gas, in addition to nitrogen, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide in smaller quantities.

Did You Know?

The biogas created by wastewater treatment processes can be very dangerous if not handled correctly. This is why once the biogas is extracted from the reactor, it is either flared to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or treated in a series of filters before being injected into a generator.

However, biogas can also be extremely helpful! For example, when injected into a generator, the biogas can be used for on-site electricity and heat generation, also known as a cogeneration system.

Depending on the composition and amount of waste in the digester, this process can produce a substantial amount of energy that can be used for plant operations. This is very similar to heat recovery used in compressed air systems.

Anaerobic digestion wastewater treatment

Aeration technologies for anaerobic digestion

Atlas Copco offers seven different blower and aeration technologies for wastewater and industrial applications. We fit the absolute best technology to you – no favoritism involved. Having a complete range means that the technology we select for you will be the most efficient product for your application over the cost of its lifetime, when you factor the cost of purchase, electricity usage, and service (downtime) costs. What’s more? We have the calculators to show you the complete payback analysis before you even part with one dollar.

Atlas Copco innovates in all aspects of compressed air and gas production. Our promise to you is we do more. What does that mean? Simply, we go further and deeper in every aspect of our offering to you and that promise extends way beyond just products. With a presence across the entire United States, and over 350 technicians on the road every day, Atlas Copco specializes in finding ways to make your wastewater and industrial processes more efficient.

Additional Wastewater Treatment Applications

Activated Sludge Process

Utilized in medium- to large-scale industrial plants, the activated sludge process separates the flocculants, or suspended solids, from the wastewater through sedimentation.

Diffused Aeration

In diffused aeration, aeration blowers pump compressed air through and released below the wastewater’s surface to make sure that bacteria receive a continual supply of air.

Lagoon Aeration

A series of shallow earthen basins (lagoons) act as the aeration basins and holding tanks – it’s in this treatment pond that biological oxidation of wastewaters occur.

Filter Backwash

Filter backwash form of preventative maintenance where water is pumped backwards through to filter in order to prevent the filter media from becoming too dirty – or even unusable.

Closeup view of wastewater treatment facility

Membrane Bioreactors

Membrane bioreactors feature an ultrafine membrane filter installed at the discharge end of a standard aeration basin. Pumps installed on the membrane filters create a slight vacuum and pull the effluent through the membrane. The ultrafine holes in the membrane do not allow the biological microbes to pass through the membrane.

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) are a version of activated sludge treatment where the treatment occurs in the reactor and clarifiers are not required.

Thumbmail_ZS in WWT_customer testimonial

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor is a much more compact method of wastewater treatment that can be scaled to fit any size plant, and is a version of the traditional activated sludge system.

Anaerobic Digestion