Biomethanation Process for Distillery Spent Wash Treatment | CSTR

In this article discuss about concept and process description of Biomethanation system suitable for Distillery spent wash treatment.

Biomethanation Technology for Treatment of Distillery Effluent

Introduction:

The distillery effluent is known as spent wash and it is a highly concentrated liquid with a high organic and inorganic content. In Distillery industry spent wash treatment and disposal is one of the major issue.

Distillery effluent is having considerable organic matter which can be bio degradable. In the process of bio methanation ( anaerobic digestion ) , the bio degradable organic matter are getting converted into biogas , thus reducing the BOD level to 80 to 90% and COD level 60% to 75 %.

General Characteristics of Spent Wash in Distillery: The Spent wash parameter may be vary according to  fermentation process follows in Distillery like batch, Fed batch and continuous process.

Sr.No.  Parameter Batch process Fed batch process Bio-still process
1  Volume of spent wash  generation per liter of alcohol 14 – 16 10 – 11 7 – 9
2  Colour Dark brown Dark brown Dark brown
3  pH 3.7 – 4.5 4.0 – 4.3 4.0 – 4.2
4  COD in mg/lit 80,000 – 1,10,000 1,10,000 – 1,30,000 1,40,000 – 1,60,000
5  BOD in mg/lit 45,000 – 50,000 55,000 – 65,000 60,000 – 70,000
6  Total Solids in mg/lit 90,000 – 1,20,000 1,30,000- 1,60,000 1,60,000 – 2,10,000
7  Total Volatile Solids in mg/lit 60,000 – 70,000 60,000 – 75,000 80,000 – 90,000
8  Total Inorganic Dissolves Solids in mg/lit 30,000 – 40,000 35,000 – 45,000 60,000 – 90,000
9  Chlorides (Cl) in mg/lit 5,000 – 6,000 6,000 – 7,500 10,000 – 12,000
10  Sulphates (SO 4) in mg/lit 4,000 – 8,000 4,500 – 8,500 8,000 – 10,000
11  Total nitrogen (N) in mg/lit 1,000 – 1,200 1,000 – 1,400 2,000 – 2,500
12  Potassium (K2O) in mg/lit 8,000 – 12,000 10,000 – 14,000 20,000 – 22,000
13  Phosphorus (P2O5) in mg/lit 200 – 300 300 – 500 1,600 – 2,000
14  Sodium (Na) in mg/lit 400 – 600 1,400 – 1,500 1,200 – 1,500
15  Calcium (Ca) in mg/lit 2,000 – 3,500 4,500 – 6,000 5,000 – 6,500

Bio-methanation Process Description:

Bio Methanation System  is based on the concept of conversion organic matter into biogas. The process of conversion of organic matter into bio gas occurs through a group of bacteria. It has to be carried out anaerobically, since the bacteria which produce methane gas from effluent are strictly anaerobes.

Here the organic matter present in the effluent gets degraded to produce methane gas. Hence here two functions are carried out simultaneously. One is the degradation of organic matter to volatile acids. The second thing is the methane gas is produced from volatile acids.

Process Flow Chart of BioMethanation system for Distillery Raw Spent Wash Treatment

Process Flow Chart of BioMethanation system for Distillery Raw Spent Wash Treatment | sugar process techRaw Spent wash:

Receive the spent wash from the distillery. Further cool down of spent wash into around 40 to 45 0C temperature with plate heat exchanger and sludge settled on bottom of buffer tank.

Buffer tank:

The methane formation proceeds between pH 6.0  & 8.5. So the pH in the Buffer tank must be kept above 6.5 and reactors must be operated at a pH of 7.0 to 7.5. Some quantity of treated spent wash  is recirculated to maintaining pH in buffer tank.  Then spent wash fed to reactor by feed pump.

CSTR Digester:

Spent wash feed is adjusted depending upon the COD load (organic matter) in digester.

Biogas:

Bio gas will be collected at the at top of the reactor and will be stored in a floating type gasholder. Gas holder is fitted with essential safety equipment such as breather valve, flame arrestor etc. Biogas from the biogas holder will be compressed and sent to boiler used as fuel.

Treated Spent wash:

The treated spent wash from the reactor passing through degasser tower to remove gases and then sent to lamella clarifier. The solids are separated from the treated spent wash in Lamella clarifier and returned to the system by recirculation pumps. This recirculation of settled solids helps to maintained adequate population of active bacteria inside reactor. Finally treated spent wash sent to bio composting.

Bio- Gas Characteristics

Methane                                  :           60 -65 ,%v/v

Moisture                                  :          1 -2%

Hydrogen sulphide( H2S)    :          2 -3%

Nitrogen                                  :           Traces

Carbon di oxide                     :           Balance

Characteristics shown by spent wash after Bio gas production

Color                              :       Blackish brown (wine red)

pH                                   :       7.0 to 7.2

BOD                                :       80 to 90% reduction

COD                                :       60 to 70% reduction

Chlorides                       :       5000 mg/lit.

H2S (dissolved)           :       50 mg/lit.

Potassium                     :       7000 mg/lit.

Temperature               :       32-36 0C

The major benefits in the Biometanation Process are as follows:

1 . Low production of waste biological solids.

2. Low nutrient requirements.

3. Production of methane as an energy source of meet the steam requirement of distillery.

4. Very high loading rates can be achieved.

5. Active anaerobic sludge can be preserved unfed for many months.

concept and process description of Biomethanation system suitable for Distillery spent wash treatment.

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5 thoughts on “Biomethanation Process for Distillery Spent Wash Treatment | CSTR

    Rajendra Tatoba Shirdhone

    (March 15, 2019 - 4:25 am)

    Volume of spent wash generated per litre of alcohol in batch 14-16
    Which are unit for

      Mandhata Patel

      (April 11, 2019 - 12:03 pm)

      when we generate 1 lit. alcohol then 14-16 lit. spent wash is produced by the distillery Plant…….

    Ajay

    (June 26, 2019 - 9:07 am)

    Pls provide sir distillery and evaporation calculations.
    Thank you sir

    Srivathsan

    (February 10, 2021 - 1:18 am)

    Your feed back on subjecting bio methenated spent wash eutectic freeze crystallisation to remove majority of inorganic solids and balance liquid as feed for animals

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