Assessment of mixing quality in full-scale, biogas-mixed anaerobic digestion using CFD

Abstract

An Euler-Lagrange CFD model is applied to a full-scale, biogas-mixed anaerobic digester to improve mixing efficiency and improve overall performance. Two quantitative mixing criteria previously adopted in anaerobic digestion (viz., uniformity index and dead volume) are critically assessed for the first time. A novel qualitative method is introduced to clarify the output of the quantitative methods. The first-ever quantitative assessment of mixing quality in full-scale, biogas-mixed anaerobic digestion is then proposed, and a strategy to improve mixing, involving the combined use of concentric nozzle manifolds at the base of the digester, is evaluated.