Starting from Scratch – Commissioning the First Thermal Hydrolysis Fed Digesters in North America

Breaking ground, the startup of the first THP process in North America provides unique insight to utilities and consultants who are considering using this technology to produce Class A biosolids. This paper provides a road map that can be used to understand the parameters to be monitored and acceptable ranges to prevent digester upset during the startup of thermally hydrolyzed sludge digesters. Operations staff will also be able to understand approaches to digester feed changes when a parameter is out of range to decrease the potential for souring the digetser. Other facilities will be able to use this information to project the expected startup period for thermal hydrolysis process (THP) digesters and gain an understanding of methods to decrease the startup period through alkalinity addition, and the overall increase in throughput that can be realized for thermally hydrolyzed sludge digesters.