A method for improved anaerobic digestion is presented. The method includes mixing a volume of waste material with water to form a feedstock mixture. The volume of waste material includes an initial amount of biomass and the feedstock mixture includes methanogenic bacteria either naturally present in the waste material or introduced artificially. The method also includes introducing one or more promoter substances to the feedstock mixture. The one or more promoter substances are capable of modifying the methanogenic bacteria. Modifying includes stimulating novel enzyme production in the methanogenic bacteria.

A method for improved anaerobic digestion is presented. The method includes mixing a volume of waste material with water to form a feedstock mixture. The volume of waste material includes an initial amount of biomass and the feedstock mixture includes methanogenic bacteria either naturally present in the waste material or introduced artificially. The method also includes introducing one or more promoter substances to the feedstock mixture. The one or more promoter substances are capable of modifying the methanogenic bacteria. Modifying includes stimulating novel enzyme production in the methanogenic bacteria.

An entirely water-based, energy self-sufficient, integrated in-line waste management system is provided for comprehensive conversion of all organic fractions of municipal and wider community waste to fuels suitable for use in transportation, with all solid residues converted to high nutrition compost. The system is based on a combination of pre-treatment, involving alkaline hydrolysis and saponification; three-way separation of the pre-treated waste into different streams that are each directed to suitable further processing including fuel production; which includes biodiesel generation in a continuous-flow catalytic esterification unit, and anaerobic digestion to produce methane or other small molecule biofuel. Remaining solids are converted to compost in a quasi-continuous process.

An entirely water-based, energy self-sufficient, integrated in-line waste management system is provided for comprehensive conversion of all organic fractions of municipal and wider community waste to fuels suitable for use in transportation, with all solid residues converted to high nutrition compost. The system is based on a combination of pre-treatment, involving alkaline hydrolysis and saponification; three-way separation of the pre-treated waste into different streams that are each directed to suitable further processing including fuel production; which includes biodiesel generation in a continuous-flow catalytic esterification unit, and anaerobic digestion to produce methane or other small molecule biofuel. Remaining solids are converted to compost in a quasi-continuous process.

Solid waste, for example source separated organics (SSO) or commercial and industrial (C&I) waste or both, are treated by first pressurizing the waste against a screen to produce a solids fraction and a liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is pulverized or milled, for example with a hammer mill, preferably after being diluted. The pulverized or milled waste is separated again to provide a second solids faction and a second liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is primarily inert and can be landfilled, preferably after being washed.

Solid waste, for example source separated organics (SSO) or commercial and industrial (C&I) waste or both, are treated by first pressurizing the waste against a screen to produce a solids fraction and a liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is pulverized or milled, for example with a hammer mill, preferably after being diluted. The pulverized or milled waste is separated again to provide a second solids faction and a second liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is primarily inert and can be landfilled, preferably after being washed.

The Biopowerplant is a system that integrates the generation of carbon-neutral energy through the cultivation and conversion of microalgal biomass, with sewage sanitation and environmental carbon recovery, with the additional and secondary production of biofertilizer, biofuel, water for reuse. This system integrates a suboptimal anaerobic digestion subsystem focused on the generation of biogas, the processing of the resulting digestate through a microalgal consortium culture subsystem with biofilm induction and smooth decreasing gradient of light radiation, and the transformation of the generated microalgal biomass into syngas through a subsystem of evaporation, torrefaction, pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion in separate chambers. The syngas and methane from the biogas are subsequently used as fuel in an electric power generator capable of operating with mixed gases. The biogas generation process is enriched through the recirculation of the microalgal biomass supernatant, the residual heat from the syngas generation subsystem, and the heat transferred from the combustion gases of the electric generator. The residual sludge from the biogas generation subsystem is recirculated towards a longitudinal biopile subsystem, where it acts as an anaerobic medium compared to the aerobic medium that constitutes the concentrated microalgal biomass, and both streams are mixed to be transformed into the syngas generation subsystem. Input inflows for system operation are mainly sewage, and optionally seawater and/or leachate. The inflows must be bioaugmented with a microalgal consortium dosed automatically by a Compact in situ bioaugmentation system, preferably more than 3 kilometers before the inflow enters the system.

The disclosure relates to a method for enhancing methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion of municipal sludge by utilizing a filter screen structure, comprising: arranging a filter screen structure with titanium or titanium alloy as the framework and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 as the coating in the anaerobic digestion system to accelerate the rate of hydrolysis and acidification, and increase the proportion of methane in biogas. Compared with the prior art, the disclosure increases the contact between Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 and anaerobic microorganisms by means of the screen structure; the stable crystal structure of Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 ensures the sustainability as an electron carrier while enriching electroactive microorganisms; titanium or titanium alloy, as a material with high strength, corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility, and good conductivity, can form a good match with Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 and assist in promoting the electron transfer; the disclosure has the advantages of low cost, high income, no need of repeated dosing and stable effect, and could strengthen the oxidation and decomposition of organic matter in the anaerobic digestion, accelerate the rate of methanogenesis, and increase the gas production.

The disclosure relates to a method for enhancing methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion of municipal sludge by utilizing a filter screen structure, comprising: arranging a filter screen structure with titanium or titanium alloy as the framework and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 as the coating in the anaerobic digestion system to accelerate the rate of hydrolysis and acidification, and increase the proportion of methane in biogas. Compared with the prior art, the disclosure increases the contact between Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 and anaerobic microorganisms by means of the screen structure; the stable crystal structure of Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 ensures the sustainability as an electron carrier while enriching electroactive microorganisms; titanium or titanium alloy, as a material with high strength, corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility, and good conductivity, can form a good match with Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 and assist in promoting the electron transfer; the disclosure has the advantages of low cost, high income, no need of repeated dosing and stable effect, and could strengthen the oxidation and decomposition of organic matter in the anaerobic digestion, accelerate the rate of methanogenesis, and increase the gas production.

This invention is a novel method to thermally process wet WWTP sludges, including biosolids, so that they can be classified. Wet biosolids or other WWTP sludges are passed through the heating zones of one or more solar thermal systems so that the sludges are heated to a target temperature to meet the requirements for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classification. Various catalysts are provided before the sludges enter the heating zone and within the heating zone to optimize the treatment of the sludges.