Proceedings of the XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the Energy Transition and Decarbonization

FULL-SCALE ANAEROBIC CO-DIGESTION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND ORGANIC WASTES: INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC LOADING RATE (OLR) AND SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION ON PROCESS INDICATORS

Published in 11/12/2025 - ISSN: -

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Paper Title
FULL-SCALE ANAEROBIC CO-DIGESTION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND ORGANIC WASTES: INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC LOADING RATE (OLR) AND SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION ON PROCESS INDICATORS
Authors
  • Petherson Fonseca Krul
  • Thiago Marenda Rosa de Lima
  • Carolina B. G. Cabral
  • Orlando Antônio Duarte Hernández
Modality
Artigo
Subject area
Full-scale experiences
Publishing Date
11/12/2025
Country of Publishing
Brazil | Brasil
Language of Publishing
en-US
Paper Page
https://www.even3.com.br/anais/workshop-simposio-digestao-anaerobia/1208179-full-scale-anaerobic-co-digestion-of-sewage-sludge-and-organic-wastes--influence-of-organic-loading-rate-(olr)-a
ISSN
-
Keywords
sewage sludge; organic wastes; co-digestion; full-scale; performance indicators; biogas productivity
Summary
This study evaluated the influence of organic loading rate (OLR) and substrate mixture ratios on the performance of a full-scale anaerobic co-digestion plant treating sewage sludge (SS), fruit and vegetable waste (FVW), and fish waste (FW). The system was monitored from January 2024 to April 2025, with biogas productivity (BP), methane concentration (MC), and the FOS/TAC ratio assessed as key performance indicators. During the analyzed period, the anaerobic digestion plant exhibited an average biogas productivity of 0.94 ± 0.22 Nm³BIOGAS/m³REACTOR.day and an average methane concentration of 62.77 %± 2.15%. Results demonstrated the importance of co-digestion for the technical and productive feasibility of the plant, with the 7:1:2 (SS: FVW: FW) ratio achieving the highest BP (0.99 ± 0.22 Nm³BIOGAS/m³REACTOR.day) and highlighting the strategic role of FW in maximizing production indicators. Operationally, optimal performance was associated with intermediate OLR values (2.0–3.5 kgVS/m³REACTOR·day), which sustained high biogas productivity and methane content while maintaining FOS/TAC within stability thresholds. Nevertheless, proper operational control of the OLR applied to the system proved essential for optimizing performance. Daily OLR fluctuations limited to 10% increased the plant’s average biogas productivity by 23%, whereas abrupt variations above 30% reduced BP to 0,622 Nm³BIOGAS/m³REACTOR.day. These findings highlight the importance of controlling both substrate mixture ratios and OLR to enhance performance in large-scale biogas plants, supporting the expansion of anaerobic co-digestion in the sanitation sector across Latin America.
Title of the Event
XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the energy transition and decarbonization
City of the Event
Fortaleza
Title of the Proceedings of the event
Proceedings of the XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the Energy Transition and Decarbonization
Name of the Publisher
Even3
Means of Dissemination
Meio Digital

How to cite

KRUL, Petherson Fonseca et al.. FULL-SCALE ANAEROBIC CO-DIGESTION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND ORGANIC WASTES: INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC LOADING RATE (OLR) AND SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION ON PROCESS INDICATORS.. In: Proceedings of the XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the Energy Transition and Decarbonization. Anais...Fortaleza (CE) Even3, UFC, Embrapa, 2025. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/workshop-simposio-digestao-anaerobia/1208179-FULL-SCALE-ANAEROBIC-CO-DIGESTION-OF-SEWAGE-SLUDGE-AND-ORGANIC-WASTES--INFLUENCE-OF-ORGANIC-LOADING-RATE-(OLR)-A. Access in: 27/05/2026

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