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Design and operation of pulsed anaerobic digesters

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Abstract

The development of a pulse-driven loop reactor (PDLR), a pulsed anaerobic filter (PAF) and a pulsed anaerobic baffled reactor (PABR) is described. In an anaerobic PDLR internal circulation is achieved by a specially designed pulse-nozzle. In a PAF and PABR an oscillation is superimposed onto the liquid content of the fermenters by means of a pulse pump without any moving devices in the reactors. Pulsed digesters faciliate degassing, avoid reactor clogging as well as short-circuiting and allow a variety of packed-bed to fluidized-bed operations. Anaerobic fermentation of acetic acid and distillery slops in pulsed digesters on a laboratory scale shows that hydrodynamic stress caused by pulsation is well compatible to degrading bacteria.

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Abbreviations

PAF:

Pulsed Anaerobic Filter

PDLR:

Pulse-Driven Loop Reactor

PABR:

Pulsed Anaerobic Baffled Reactor

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Etzold, M., Stadlbauer, E.A. Design and operation of pulsed anaerobic digesters. Bioprocess Eng. 5, 7–12 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369641

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