Digester cleaning is quickly transforming into becoming an established business sector within the digestion industry. Before we get into when you need digester cleaning services, we will understand what anaerobic digestion cleaning is and how it works.

What Is Digester Cleaning?

In many large wastewater treatment facilities and plants, digester cleaning works by breaking down organic waste. The decomposition of the sewage sludge allows the process to produce digester gas from primary or secondary clarifiers. The byproduct (wastewater digester gas) is rich in methane and can be used as an energy source. 

Anaerobic digester mixing systems use a biological process where the microorganisms produce gas by breaking down organic waste. The gasses produced include carbon dioxide and methane. The gas can then be burned like natural gas to produce energy. 

When Do You Need Digester Cleaning Services?

Digester cleaning contractors are usually needed for flood and disaster cleanup when there is a lack of adequate oxidation time, invasion of crustaceans, due to overloading, grit, and trash, or loss of gas recovery. A digester cleaning helps to get rid of grit and debris (rags, hair, sand), which can impact the operations of the digester by preventing the proper digestion process from occurring. Sometimes the grit and debris may not be completely removed with sludge pumps that extract the solids from the digester, and even the ones that get removed may be harsh on the heating and pumping equipment, resulting in higher maintenance costs. Therefore, a digester cleaning service can help to speed up the process and allow the anaerobic digestion plant to operate at its full capacity. 

However, the process of anaerobic digestion can be quite painful for biogas plant operators because it reduces production time, loses some of the biogas, and results in loss of revenue. The process also requires highly trained and experienced professionals who have all of the necessary safety equipment, venting, pumping, and flushing gear to safely and quickly remove all inorganic and organic objects that interfere with the operations of the digester. 

How Does Digester Cleaning Work?

For the purpose of flood and disaster cleanup, digester cleaning uses the help of pressurized water that can dispose of, transport, and remove dirt and other residual solids. Any of the remaining material is then slurred into a semi-liquid form that can conveniently be discharged and removed with the help of pumps. In addition, the trained personnel also have the equipment and capabilities to dewater the removed trash, grit, sludge, and other remains, allowing for landfill disposal. 

Conclusion

It is essential to keep all machines and equipment properly clean and maintained in any field or industry. Any machine or equipment that becomes too dirty could fall into despair and may not function properly. This is why digester cleaning services are required for wastewater plants to ensure that the process of digester does not get hampered in any way. P & H Senesac can serve your cleaning needs for an anaerobic digestion plant and anaerobic digester mixing systems.

Dewatering is the process of extracting liquid from a sludge slurry. Different dewatering techniques are used to carry out the process. These techniques may be used in refineries, wastewater treatment plants, drinking water facilities, and power plants. In this blog post, we will discuss three common methods of dewatering water treatment.

Belt Filter Press

The process of belt filter press is more commonly used when it is acceptable for filter cakes to have high-moisture content. Generally, this process produces about 18% to 25% solids by mass. It is extremely effective when it comes to high-volume wastewater streams – because it is conditional – where a huge production of the average-quality filter cake is acceptable. The belt filter press method is typically used in public wastewater treatment plants. There are different types of sludge dewatering equipment used for the belt filter press. 

The belt filter press system is mostly used for the following:

• Public wastewater treatment sludges
• Paper mill sludge
• River silt

Centrifuge

The centrifuge method is used to separate components that have different densities by employing a high rotational speed. The idea of this process is based on buoyancy – an upward force. A component with less density would be suspended above the mixture; whereas, a high-density component would fall to the bottom. This process generally produces about 25% and 35% of solids by mass. 

The primary benefit of the centrifuge method is its speed. Therefore, the process is typically reserved where the main priority is to recover oil, and residual solids’ quality is not much of an issue. Take a look at some of the sludge dewatering rental equipment to better understand the components involved. 

Plate and Frame Filter Press

The plate and frame filter press method use recessed-chamber filter plates that help to extract liquid from solid. In this process, two separate plates are put together in the shape of a chamber. This builds pressure on the slurry and squeezes out the filtrate through the lining cloth that acts as a filter in the chamber. The filter plate cloth collects the filter cake on its surface and drops it down into a horizontal conveyor. 

This process is highly effective and produces filter cake that is about 40% to 70% solids by mass. Plus, it provides cost-efficient disposal and transportation since it produces the greatest solid material content, which makes it even more beneficial. 

One of the advantages of using the plate and filter press process is that it does not require any specific licensing in order to operate the machine. In addition, the products are easy to transport as they are cake-like, stackable solids. Click here to learn more about our dewatering services.

Conclusion

The dewatering process helps to remove sludge from the water. It is the last step for wastewater treatment, and most of the methods used have proven to be very effective. 

Please visit our website or get in touch with us to learn more about dewatering water treatment for wastewater treatment and pump rental services. Our dewatering pump equipment solutions are ideal for commercial or industrial dewatering jobs of any size.

No matter your industry, it’s always important to keep your equipment in good working order. That’s certainly true in wastewater treatment, or in any field that relies on digesters. After all, digester tanks play an essential role in the water treatment process, making it possible to efficiently separate liquids and solids. Digesters should always run at something pretty close to maximum capacity, but over time, that capacity may be limited by the buildup of gunk and crustacea.

One way to handle this problem is to hire digester cleaning services… but as you might imagine, not all digester cleaning services are created equal. As such, it’s important to do your due diligence and ensure you hire the right company to help with your anaerobic digestion plant. And that begins by knowing some of the most common (and potentially costly) mistakes.

The 5 Most Common Mistakes When Hiring a Digester Cleaning Service

For example…

1) Assuming that all equipment is created equal.

One of the first things to recognize is that there isn’t a lot of standardization with regard to digester cleaning systems. Different companies will offer different kinds of equipment to help with your anaerobic digester mixing systems, so it’s always worthwhile to ask your vendor for more information about their tech portfolio. Ensure that they are working with cutting-edge equipment, and that they have a range of systems sufficient for providing you with a customized solution.

2) Not getting the right personnel.

Do you have team members who know their way around anaerobic digester mixing systems, and specifically who know all about the cleaning process? If not, you may need to train them, which can be time-consuming. Alternatively, you can look for a digester cleaning service that will send already-trained personnel to handle things on your behalf. Often, this is the most effective and efficient way forward.

3) Not asking about down times.

While your anaerobic digestion plant is getting cleaned out, it will usually mean a break from your usual production. But how long will that break last? And how much efficiency are you going to lose? Always ask in advance so that you can plan accordingly.

4) Not asking about emergency options.

Sometimes, as in the case of flood and disaster cleanup, you may need to get your digester cleaned in a real rush. Some services will actually offer rapid response options, specifically with flood and disaster cleanup in mind. Don’t hesitate to ask about emergency response options if you need them.

5) Assuming that digester cleaning companies are all alike.

Just to reiterate what we said above, it’s crucial to remember that the digester cleaning profession is varied, and not all companies are the same. It pays to shop around and compare options, because you’ll find that digester cleaning providers differ quite a bit in terms of experience, professionalism, tech sophistication, price point, turnaround time, customer service, and beyond.

Get More Information About P&H Senesac

As you consider the best digester cleaning services, we hope you’ll keep P&H Senesac in mind. A few things to know about us:

• We have decades of experience in this field.
• We are known for our innovative technology.
• We offer rapid response times as needed.
• We are committed to minimizing your down time.

We are one of the most trusted names in digester cleaning solutions, but of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. We’d love to talk with you one-on-one about your digester cleaning needs. To start that conversation, please reach out to P&H Senesac at your next opportunity.

Severe storms, floods, and other natural disasters can leave a trail of disruption and havoc. Once the storm passes, the real work of repair and rehabilitation begins. Flood and disaster cleanup is no small task, but the process can go much more smoothly and efficiently when the right equipment is available.

Case in point: Access to an anaerobic digester can significantly expedite the flood and disaster cleanup process. And the right digester cleaning services can ensure that this equipment is working at peak functionality.

Consider the advantages that digester cleaning contractors can bring to any flood and disaster recovery project.

What is a Digester?

Let’s start at the beginning: When we talk about anaerobic digester mixing systems, what exactly are we talking about?

Anaerobic digestion is a process in which micro-organisms break down organic matter (such as solid waste, or manure), without the need for oxygen. A digester is simply the structure in which the anaerobic digestion process can take place.

A digester can be crucial in the aftermath of a flood, especially if disruption to normal sewage services has led to a significant surplus of organic waste. To eliminate this waste speedily and cost-effectively, it may first be helpful to break it down as much as possible. That’s where anaerobic digester mixing systems come into play.

The Importance of Digester Cleaning Services

So what about the role of digester cleaning contractors?

To understand the importance of digester cleaning, it’s first important to know this: Simply due to their regular operation, digesters tend to accumulate layers of grit, sludge, and even crustacea. Essentially, these large tanks become covered in gunk.

This layer of gunk has a couple of effects. One, it means that the tanks have less capacity to hold waste. And because of this, it also means that the anaerobic digestion process can’t proceed quite as efficiently as it would normally.

Following a natural disaster, of course, you’ll want your equipment to be in something pretty close to optimal condition, ensuring that you can clean up as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As such, it’s generally best to stay up to date with digester cleaning needs. This helps keep mission-critical equipment in good working order, ready for use in truly dire situations.

And of course, one of the best ways to keep your digester equipment well-maintained is to hire a digester cleaning specialist, like P&H Senesac.

The P&H Senesac Difference

For decades, P&H Senesac has been a leading provider of digester cleaning services, as well as dewatering pump rental services. And, we have ample experience assisting in flood cleanup and disaster mitigation

A few reasons why our clients entrust their digester cleaning needs to P&H Senesac:

• We offer rapid-response deployment of our equipment. If you’re facing a real emergency, we can be on-site within a day or two.
• We boast an unparalleled portfolio of best-in-class technology, including advanced options for digester cleaning.
• We also have highly trained personnel who can ensure you’re getting the most out of your equipment rental.

We’d love to tell you more about P&H Senesac and our services in digester cleaning.

Reach Out to Learn More About Anaerobic Digestion

Following a major disaster, there’s always a lot of cleanup to be done. This cleanup will go much more smoothly if you’re working with well-maintained equipment… and that includes digesters.

To find out more about digester upkeep, or to get on the schedule for equipment rental, we welcome you to contact P&H Senesac. We’d love to talk with you further about our role in facilitating efficient flood and disaster recovery.