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One of the main interests in commercial methane production is to maximize the gas yield, and it is thus appealing to use material with relative high methane potential. However, such material often results in process instability whereas ammonia inhibition is common. Removal of ammonia through adsorption is a fairly unexplored method in the field of biogas production, and could prove to be cost-effective.The adsorption capacity of pulp fibres from the paper making industry were investigated through batch adsorption experiments. Additionally, the fibres effect on small scale batch digesters in terms of methane production and cellulase activity was explored. Overall, the adsorption capacity of the pulp fibres was low, whereas Kraft hardwood had the highest adsorption capacity in both an aqueous ammonium solution and digester fluid at 11±3 and 60±20 mg g-1, respectively. The initial total ammonium nitrogen concentration had the highest effect on the adsorption capacity with a positive correlation. The pulp fibres seemingly had no effect on the ammonia inhibited anaerobic digestion systems. However, the cellulase activity was higher after day 5 in the anaerobic digestion systems with a high ammonia concentration.In essence, the overall results showed that the adsorption of the fibres was relatively low and most likely not suitable as a material to prevent ammonia inhibition in an AD.

A big challenge within pulp and paper mills is the large quantities of waste activated sludge (WAS) that is produced during the wastewater treatment. The WAS is made up of biological cells and extra polymeric substances (EPS) and can bind a large amount of water causing difficulties to dewater the WAS. This study aimed to determine how to improve the dewatering properties of the WAS by using hydrolysis. Hydrolysis will cause the cells to disrupt and the bound water in the cells and the water trapped by the EPS can be released. Specifically, this study investigated what impact hydrolysis with heat, alkalis, and acids had on the WAS dewatering properties. In addition to the impact on the dewatering properties, the release of organic material and nutrients from the cells has also been important for biomethane production. In this study, it was specifically NH4-N, PO43- and COD that have been studied. WAS from paper mills have in general poor methane potential so it was of interest to see how the WAS was affected by hydrolysis and how hydrolysis could improve the methane production. To test the hypothesis of whether hydrolysis could affect the WAS and improve the dewatering properties, several experiments were performed. The experiments included thermal hydrolysis at temperatures of 70-90 °C, acidic hydrolysis with acids such as spent acid and acid water, and alkalis such as green liquor sludge and EOP. All acids and alkalis used in the study were chemicals that exist at the paper mills included in this study. To test the dewatering properties, methods such as TS analysis on the accept, CST-analysis, and a belt press were used. Analyses were also performed on the reject to measure the suspended solids and the nutrients NH4 – N, PO43– and COD in the WAS. This study did also determine what effect hydrolysed WAS had on the biomethane potential. In this study were the paper mills BillerudKorsnäs in Skärblacka and SCA in Östrand included. Hence was sludge from the two mills o

One of the main interests in commercial methane production is to maximize the gas yield, and it is thus appealing to use material with relative high methane potential. However, such material often results in process instability whereas ammonia inhibition is common. Removal of ammonia through adsorption is a fairly unexplored method in the field of biogas production, and could prove to be cost-effective.The adsorption capacity of pulp fibres from the paper making industry were investigated through batch adsorption experiments. Additionally, the fibres effect on small scale batch digesters in terms of methane production and cellulase activity was explored. Overall, the adsorption capacity of the pulp fibres was low, whereas Kraft hardwood had the highest adsorption capacity in both an aqueous ammonium solution and digester fluid at 11±3 and 60±20 mg g-1, respectively. The initial total ammonium nitrogen concentration had the highest effect on the adsorption capacity with a positive correlation. The pulp fibres seemingly had no effect on the ammonia inhibited anaerobic digestion systems. However, the cellulase activity was higher after day 5 in the anaerobic digestion systems with a high ammonia concentration.In essence, the overall results showed that the adsorption of the fibres was relatively low and most likely not suitable as a material to prevent ammonia inhibition in an AD.

A big challenge within pulp and paper mills is the large quantities of waste activated sludge (WAS) that is produced during the wastewater treatment. The WAS is made up of biological cells and extra polymeric substances (EPS) and can bind a large amount of water causing difficulties to dewater the WAS. This study aimed to determine how to improve the dewatering properties of the WAS by using hydrolysis. Hydrolysis will cause the cells to disrupt and the bound water in the cells and the water trapped by the EPS can be released. Specifically, this study investigated what impact hydrolysis with heat, alkalis, and acids had on the WAS dewatering properties. In addition to the impact on the dewatering properties, the release of organic material and nutrients from the cells has also been important for biomethane production. In this study, it was specifically NH4-N, PO43- and COD that have been studied. WAS from paper mills have in general poor methane potential so it was of interest to see how the WAS was affected by hydrolysis and how hydrolysis could improve the methane production. To test the hypothesis of whether hydrolysis could affect the WAS and improve the dewatering properties, several experiments were performed. The experiments included thermal hydrolysis at temperatures of 70-90 °C, acidic hydrolysis with acids such as spent acid and acid water, and alkalis such as green liquor sludge and EOP. All acids and alkalis used in the study were chemicals that exist at the paper mills included in this study. To test the dewatering properties, methods such as TS analysis on the accept, CST-analysis, and a belt press were used. Analyses were also performed on the reject to measure the suspended solids and the nutrients NH4 – N, PO43– and COD in the WAS. This study did also determine what effect hydrolysed WAS had on the biomethane potential. In this study were the paper mills BillerudKorsnäs in Skärblacka and SCA in Östrand included. Hence was sludge from the two mills o

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The production processes of the pulp and paper industry often run in campaigns, leading to large variations in the composition of wastewaters and waste sludges. During anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes, the viscosity or the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) may be affected, with the risk of foam formation, inefficient digester mixing or poor sludge dewaterability. The aim of this study was to investigate how viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during long-term AD of pulp and paper mill sludge is affected by changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Two mesophilic lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days (R1 and R2), initially digesting only fibre sludge, then co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. The HRT was lowered, followed by an increase in the OLR. Reactor fluids were sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. The production of the protein fraction of SMP was positively correlated to the OLR, implicating reduced effluent qualities at high OLR. EPS formation correlated with the magnesium content, and during sulphate deficiency, the production of EPS and SMP increased. At high levels of EPS and SMP, there was an increase in viscosity of the anaerobic sludges, and dewatering efficiency was reduced. In addition, increased viscosity and/or the production of EPS and SMP were important factors in sludge bulking and foam formation in the CSTRs. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent stirring.

The pulp and paper industry is a large producer of wastewater and sludge, putting high pressure on waste treatment. In addition, more rigorous environmental legislation for pollution control and demands to increase the use of renewable energy have put further pressure on the pulp and paper industry’s waste treatment, where anaerobic digestion (AD) and the production of methane could pose a solution. Kraft pulping makes up 80% of the world production of virgin wood pulp, thus, the wastewaters from this sector represent a large unused potential for methane production. There are three main types of substrates available for AD at pulp and paper mills, the wastewaters, the primary sludge/fibre sludge, and the waste activated sludge. AD treatment of these streams has been associated with several challenges, such as the presence of inhibiting compounds or low degradability during AD. The aim of this thesis was to experimentally address these challenges and potentials, focusing on wastes from kraft mills. Methane potential batch tests showed that many wastewater streams still posed challenges to AD, but the alkaline elemental chlorine-free bleaching stream and the condensate effluents had good methane potentials. Further, the methane potential of kraft mill fibre sludge was high, and co-digestion of kraft mill fibre sludge and waste activated sludge was feasible in stirred tank reactors with sludge recirculation. By increasing the organic loading in a pilot-scale activated sludge facility and thereby lowering the sludge age, the degradability of the waste activated sludge was improved. The higher wastewater treatment capacity achieved by this method provides an opportunity for the mills to increase their pulp and paper production. Further, by dewatering the digestate after AD and returning the liquid to the activated sludge treatment, costs for nutrient supplementation can be reduced. In conclusion, the thesis shows that AD of wastes from the kraft pulp and paper industry w, Produktionen av pappers- och massa genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten, vilket ställer höga krav på en effektiv vattenrening. Därtill har skärpta regler för utsläpp till vatten och luft tillsammans med en ökad efterfrågan på användning av förnyelsebar energi ytterligare ökat trycket på vattenreningen inom pappers-och massaindustrin, där anaerob nedbrytning med metanproduktion som följd skulle kunna utgöra en lösning. Produktionen av sulfatmassa (en kemiskt kokad pappersmassa) utgör 80% av den globala nyproduktionen av massa, vilket innebär att avloppsvatten från denna sektor representerar en stor outnyttjad potential för metanproduktion. Det finns huvudsakligen tre typer av substrat tillgängliga för rötning vid pappers- och massabruk, avloppsvatten, primärslam/fiberslam, och aktivt slam/överskottsslam. Flera utmaningar är kopplade till anaerob nedbrytning av dess strömmar, såsom förekomst av inhiberande ämnen eller låg nedbrytbarhet. Målet med avhandlingen var att bemöta dessa utmaningar, med ett särskilt fokus på behandling av avloppsströmmar från sulfatbruk. Metanpotentialtester visade att många av avloppsvattnen fortfarande var svåra att behandla med anaerob nedbrytning, men att alkaliska blekeriströmmar och kondensatströmmar vid sulfatbruk visade lovande metanpotentialer. Massafiber från sulfatoch sulfitbruk uppvisade höga metanpotentialer, och en stabil kontinuerlig samrötning av fiberslam och aktivt slam från sulfatbruk uppnåddes vid hög organisk belastning och låg hydraulisk uppehållstid i omrörda tankreaktorer med slamåterföring. Resultaten visade vidare att den låga nedbrytbarheten hos aktivt slam kunde bemötas genom att sänka slamåldern i den luftade anläggningen, med högre metanpotential i slammet som följd. Via denna metodik erhålles en högre vattenreningskapacitet, vilket innebär att bruken kan öka sin produktion av papper och massa. Dessutom kan rötresten avvattnas och den kvarvarande vätskan återföras till den luftade anläggningen för att minska beh

The pulp and paper industry is a large producer of wastewater and sludge, putting high pressure on waste treatment. In addition, more rigorous environmental legislation for pollution control and demands to increase the use of renewable energy have put further pressure on the pulp and paper industry’s waste treatment, where anaerobic digestion (AD) and the production of methane could pose a solution. Kraft pulping makes up 80% of the world production of virgin wood pulp, thus, the wastewaters from this sector represent a large unused potential for methane production. There are three main types of substrates available for AD at pulp and paper mills, the wastewaters, the primary sludge/fibre sludge, and the waste activated sludge. AD treatment of these streams has been associated with several challenges, such as the presence of inhibiting compounds or low degradability during AD. The aim of this thesis was to experimentally address these challenges and potentials, focusing on wastes from kraft mills. Methane potential batch tests showed that many wastewater streams still posed challenges to AD, but the alkaline elemental chlorine-free bleaching stream and the condensate effluents had good methane potentials. Further, the methane potential of kraft mill fibre sludge was high, and co-digestion of kraft mill fibre sludge and waste activated sludge was feasible in stirred tank reactors with sludge recirculation. By increasing the organic loading in a pilot-scale activated sludge facility and thereby lowering the sludge age, the degradability of the waste activated sludge was improved. The higher wastewater treatment capacity achieved by this method provides an opportunity for the mills to increase their pulp and paper production. Further, by dewatering the digestate after AD and returning the liquid to the activated sludge treatment, costs for nutrient supplementation can be reduced. In conclusion, the thesis shows that AD of wastes from the kraft pulp and paper industry w, Produktionen av pappers- och massa genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten, vilket ställer höga krav på en effektiv vattenrening. Därtill har skärpta regler för utsläpp till vatten och luft tillsammans med en ökad efterfrågan på användning av förnyelsebar energi ytterligare ökat trycket på vattenreningen inom pappers-och massaindustrin, där anaerob nedbrytning med metanproduktion som följd skulle kunna utgöra en lösning. Produktionen av sulfatmassa (en kemiskt kokad pappersmassa) utgör 80% av den globala nyproduktionen av massa, vilket innebär att avloppsvatten från denna sektor representerar en stor outnyttjad potential för metanproduktion. Det finns huvudsakligen tre typer av substrat tillgängliga för rötning vid pappers- och massabruk, avloppsvatten, primärslam/fiberslam, och aktivt slam/överskottsslam. Flera utmaningar är kopplade till anaerob nedbrytning av dess strömmar, såsom förekomst av inhiberande ämnen eller låg nedbrytbarhet. Målet med avhandlingen var att bemöta dessa utmaningar, med ett särskilt fokus på behandling av avloppsströmmar från sulfatbruk. Metanpotentialtester visade att många av avloppsvattnen fortfarande var svåra att behandla med anaerob nedbrytning, men att alkaliska blekeriströmmar och kondensatströmmar vid sulfatbruk visade lovande metanpotentialer. Massafiber från sulfatoch sulfitbruk uppvisade höga metanpotentialer, och en stabil kontinuerlig samrötning av fiberslam och aktivt slam från sulfatbruk uppnåddes vid hög organisk belastning och låg hydraulisk uppehållstid i omrörda tankreaktorer med slamåterföring. Resultaten visade vidare att den låga nedbrytbarheten hos aktivt slam kunde bemötas genom att sänka slamåldern i den luftade anläggningen, med högre metanpotential i slammet som följd. Via denna metodik erhålles en högre vattenreningskapacitet, vilket innebär att bruken kan öka sin produktion av papper och massa. Dessutom kan rötresten avvattnas och den kvarvarande vätskan återföras till den luftade anläggningen för att minska beh

The pulp and paper industry is a large producer of wastewater and sludge, putting high pressure on waste treatment. In addition, more rigorous environmental legislation for pollution control and demands to increase the use of renewable energy have put further pressure on the pulp and paper industry’s waste treatment, where anaerobic digestion (AD) and the production of methane could pose a solution. Kraft pulping makes up 80% of the world production of virgin wood pulp, thus, the wastewaters from this sector represent a large unused potential for methane production. There are three main types of substrates available for AD at pulp and paper mills, the wastewaters, the primary sludge/fibre sludge, and the waste activated sludge. AD treatment of these streams has been associated with several challenges, such as the presence of inhibiting compounds or low degradability during AD. The aim of this thesis was to experimentally address these challenges and potentials, focusing on wastes from kraft mills. Methane potential batch tests showed that many wastewater streams still posed challenges to AD, but the alkaline elemental chlorine-free bleaching stream and the condensate effluents had good methane potentials. Further, the methane potential of kraft mill fibre sludge was high, and co-digestion of kraft mill fibre sludge and waste activated sludge was feasible in stirred tank reactors with sludge recirculation. By increasing the organic loading in a pilot-scale activated sludge facility and thereby lowering the sludge age, the degradability of the waste activated sludge was improved. The higher wastewater treatment capacity achieved by this method provides an opportunity for the mills to increase their pulp and paper production. Further, by dewatering the digestate after AD and returning the liquid to the activated sludge treatment, costs for nutrient supplementation can be reduced. In conclusion, the thesis shows that AD of wastes from the kraft pulp and paper industry w, Produktionen av pappers- och massa genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten, vilket ställer höga krav på en effektiv vattenrening. Därtill har skärpta regler för utsläpp till vatten och luft tillsammans med en ökad efterfrågan på användning av förnyelsebar energi ytterligare ökat trycket på vattenreningen inom pappers-och massaindustrin, där anaerob nedbrytning med metanproduktion som följd skulle kunna utgöra en lösning. Produktionen av sulfatmassa (en kemiskt kokad pappersmassa) utgör 80% av den globala nyproduktionen av massa, vilket innebär att avloppsvatten från denna sektor representerar en stor outnyttjad potential för metanproduktion. Det finns huvudsakligen tre typer av substrat tillgängliga för rötning vid pappers- och massabruk, avloppsvatten, primärslam/fiberslam, och aktivt slam/överskottsslam. Flera utmaningar är kopplade till anaerob nedbrytning av dess strömmar, såsom förekomst av inhiberande ämnen eller låg nedbrytbarhet. Målet med avhandlingen var att bemöta dessa utmaningar, med ett särskilt fokus på behandling av avloppsströmmar från sulfatbruk. Metanpotentialtester visade att många av avloppsvattnen fortfarande var svåra att behandla med anaerob nedbrytning, men att alkaliska blekeriströmmar och kondensatströmmar vid sulfatbruk visade lovande metanpotentialer. Massafiber från sulfatoch sulfitbruk uppvisade höga metanpotentialer, och en stabil kontinuerlig samrötning av fiberslam och aktivt slam från sulfatbruk uppnåddes vid hög organisk belastning och låg hydraulisk uppehållstid i omrörda tankreaktorer med slamåterföring. Resultaten visade vidare att den låga nedbrytbarheten hos aktivt slam kunde bemötas genom att sänka slamåldern i den luftade anläggningen, med högre metanpotential i slammet som följd. Via denna metodik erhålles en högre vattenreningskapacitet, vilket innebär att bruken kan öka sin produktion av papper och massa. Dessutom kan rötresten avvattnas och den kvarvarande vätskan återföras till den luftade anläggningen för att minska beh

The pulp and paper industry is a large producer of wastewater and sludge, putting high pressure on waste treatment. In addition, more rigorous environmental legislation for pollution control and demands to increase the use of renewable energy have put further pressure on the pulp and paper industry’s waste treatment, where anaerobic digestion (AD) and the production of methane could pose a solution. Kraft pulping makes up 80% of the world production of virgin wood pulp, thus, the wastewaters from this sector represent a large unused potential for methane production. There are three main types of substrates available for AD at pulp and paper mills, the wastewaters, the primary sludge/fibre sludge, and the waste activated sludge. AD treatment of these streams has been associated with several challenges, such as the presence of inhibiting compounds or low degradability during AD. The aim of this thesis was to experimentally address these challenges and potentials, focusing on wastes from kraft mills. Methane potential batch tests showed that many wastewater streams still posed challenges to AD, but the alkaline elemental chlorine-free bleaching stream and the condensate effluents had good methane potentials. Further, the methane potential of kraft mill fibre sludge was high, and co-digestion of kraft mill fibre sludge and waste activated sludge was feasible in stirred tank reactors with sludge recirculation. By increasing the organic loading in a pilot-scale activated sludge facility and thereby lowering the sludge age, the degradability of the waste activated sludge was improved. The higher wastewater treatment capacity achieved by this method provides an opportunity for the mills to increase their pulp and paper production. Further, by dewatering the digestate after AD and returning the liquid to the activated sludge treatment, costs for nutrient supplementation can be reduced. In conclusion, the thesis shows that AD of wastes from the kraft pulp and paper industry w, Produktionen av pappers- och massa genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten, vilket ställer höga krav på en effektiv vattenrening. Därtill har skärpta regler för utsläpp till vatten och luft tillsammans med en ökad efterfrågan på användning av förnyelsebar energi ytterligare ökat trycket på vattenreningen inom pappers-och massaindustrin, där anaerob nedbrytning med metanproduktion som följd skulle kunna utgöra en lösning. Produktionen av sulfatmassa (en kemiskt kokad pappersmassa) utgör 80% av den globala nyproduktionen av massa, vilket innebär att avloppsvatten från denna sektor representerar en stor outnyttjad potential för metanproduktion. Det finns huvudsakligen tre typer av substrat tillgängliga för rötning vid pappers- och massabruk, avloppsvatten, primärslam/fiberslam, och aktivt slam/överskottsslam. Flera utmaningar är kopplade till anaerob nedbrytning av dess strömmar, såsom förekomst av inhiberande ämnen eller låg nedbrytbarhet. Målet med avhandlingen var att bemöta dessa utmaningar, med ett särskilt fokus på behandling av avloppsströmmar från sulfatbruk. Metanpotentialtester visade att många av avloppsvattnen fortfarande var svåra att behandla med anaerob nedbrytning, men att alkaliska blekeriströmmar och kondensatströmmar vid sulfatbruk visade lovande metanpotentialer. Massafiber från sulfatoch sulfitbruk uppvisade höga metanpotentialer, och en stabil kontinuerlig samrötning av fiberslam och aktivt slam från sulfatbruk uppnåddes vid hög organisk belastning och låg hydraulisk uppehållstid i omrörda tankreaktorer med slamåterföring. Resultaten visade vidare att den låga nedbrytbarheten hos aktivt slam kunde bemötas genom att sänka slamåldern i den luftade anläggningen, med högre metanpotential i slammet som följd. Via denna metodik erhålles en högre vattenreningskapacitet, vilket innebär att bruken kan öka sin produktion av papper och massa. Dessutom kan rötresten avvattnas och den kvarvarande vätskan återföras till den luftade anläggningen för att minska beh

The pulp and paper industry is a large producer of wastewater and sludge, putting high pressure on waste treatment. In addition, more rigorous environmental legislation for pollution control and demands to increase the use of renewable energy have put further pressure on the pulp and paper industry’s waste treatment, where anaerobic digestion (AD) and the production of methane could pose a solution. Kraft pulping makes up 80% of the world production of virgin wood pulp, thus, the wastewaters from this sector represent a large unused potential for methane production. There are three main types of substrates available for AD at pulp and paper mills, the wastewaters, the primary sludge/fibre sludge, and the waste activated sludge. AD treatment of these streams has been associated with several challenges, such as the presence of inhibiting compounds or low degradability during AD. The aim of this thesis was to experimentally address these challenges and potentials, focusing on wastes from kraft mills. Methane potential batch tests showed that many wastewater streams still posed challenges to AD, but the alkaline elemental chlorine-free bleaching stream and the condensate effluents had good methane potentials. Further, the methane potential of kraft mill fibre sludge was high, and co-digestion of kraft mill fibre sludge and waste activated sludge was feasible in stirred tank reactors with sludge recirculation. By increasing the organic loading in a pilot-scale activated sludge facility and thereby lowering the sludge age, the degradability of the waste activated sludge was improved. The higher wastewater treatment capacity achieved by this method provides an opportunity for the mills to increase their pulp and paper production. Further, by dewatering the digestate after AD and returning the liquid to the activated sludge treatment, costs for nutrient supplementation can be reduced. In conclusion, the thesis shows that AD of wastes from the kraft pulp and paper industry w, Produktionen av pappers- och massa genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten, vilket ställer höga krav på en effektiv vattenrening. Därtill har skärpta regler för utsläpp till vatten och luft tillsammans med en ökad efterfrågan på användning av förnyelsebar energi ytterligare ökat trycket på vattenreningen inom pappers-och massaindustrin, där anaerob nedbrytning med metanproduktion som följd skulle kunna utgöra en lösning. Produktionen av sulfatmassa (en kemiskt kokad pappersmassa) utgör 80% av den globala nyproduktionen av massa, vilket innebär att avloppsvatten från denna sektor representerar en stor outnyttjad potential för metanproduktion. Det finns huvudsakligen tre typer av substrat tillgängliga för rötning vid pappers- och massabruk, avloppsvatten, primärslam/fiberslam, och aktivt slam/överskottsslam. Flera utmaningar är kopplade till anaerob nedbrytning av dess strömmar, såsom förekomst av inhiberande ämnen eller låg nedbrytbarhet. Målet med avhandlingen var att bemöta dessa utmaningar, med ett särskilt fokus på behandling av avloppsströmmar från sulfatbruk. Metanpotentialtester visade att många av avloppsvattnen fortfarande var svåra att behandla med anaerob nedbrytning, men att alkaliska blekeriströmmar och kondensatströmmar vid sulfatbruk visade lovande metanpotentialer. Massafiber från sulfatoch sulfitbruk uppvisade höga metanpotentialer, och en stabil kontinuerlig samrötning av fiberslam och aktivt slam från sulfatbruk uppnåddes vid hög organisk belastning och låg hydraulisk uppehållstid i omrörda tankreaktorer med slamåterföring. Resultaten visade vidare att den låga nedbrytbarheten hos aktivt slam kunde bemötas genom att sänka slamåldern i den luftade anläggningen, med högre metanpotential i slammet som följd. Via denna metodik erhålles en högre vattenreningskapacitet, vilket innebär att bruken kan öka sin produktion av papper och massa. Dessutom kan rötresten avvattnas och den kvarvarande vätskan återföras till den luftade anläggningen för att minska beh

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Supporting and assessment of students’ preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students’ perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor’s role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.

Increased viscosity and the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) are important factors that may negatively affect wastewater treatment processes, e.g. foaming, inefficient mixing or poor dewatering. Many industries, including the pulp and paper industry, are running their production processes at shifting conditions, leading to large variations in wastewater composition to downstream treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate how changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) affect the viscosity and production of EPS and SMP during anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper mill sludge. Two lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated for 800 days at 37⁰C. The OLR was increased and the HRT was decreased in steps. Reactor fluid was sampled once a month for rheological characterization and analysis of EPS and SMP. Our results demonstrated a clear positive correlation between viscosity and the production of EPS and SMP. OLR, magnesium and potassium were important for EPS and SMP formation and the protein fraction of SMP was negatively correlated to HRT and sludge retention time. The production of EPS and SMP was important in foam formation and sludge bulking, either directly through their surface-active properties, or indirectly by increasing the viscosity. Sludge bulking was avoided by more frequent mixing. In conclusion, rheological measurements and estimates of EPS and SMP contents could prove valuable tools to avoid the severe consequences of sludge bulking and foaming in full-scale applications.

The activated sludge process within the pulp and paper industry is generally run to minimize the production of waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to high electricity costs from aeration and relatively large basin volumes. In this study, a pilot-scale activated sludge process was run to evaluate the concept of treating the wastewater at high rate with a low sludge age. Two 150 L containers were used, one for aeration and one for sedimentation and sludge return. The hydraulic retention time was decreased from 24 hours to 7 hours, and the sludge age was lowered from 12 days to 2–4 days. The methane potential of the WAS was evaluated using batch tests, as well as continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) in 4 L reactors in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Wastewater treatment capacity was increased almost four-fold at maintained degradation efficiency. The lower sludge age greatly improved the methane potential of the WAS in batch tests, reaching 170 NmL CH4/g VS at a sludge age of 2 days. In addition, the continuous AD showed a higher methane production at thermophilic conditions. Thus, the combination of high-rate wastewater treatment and AD of WAS is a promising option for the pulp and paper industry., Funding agencies: Swedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scan-dinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB

The activated sludge process within the pulp and paper industry is generally run to minimize the production of waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to high electricity costs from aeration and relatively large basin volumes. In this study, a pilot-scale activated sludge process was run to evaluate the concept of treating the wastewater at high rate with a low sludge age. Two 150 L containers were used, one for aeration and one for sedimentation and sludge return. The hydraulic retention time was decreased from 24 hours to 7 hours, and the sludge age was lowered from 12 days to 2–4 days. The methane potential of the WAS was evaluated using batch tests, as well as continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) in 4 L reactors in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Wastewater treatment capacity was increased almost four-fold at maintained degradation efficiency. The lower sludge age greatly improved the methane potential of the WAS in batch tests, reaching 170 NmL CH4/g VS at a sludge age of 2 days. In addition, the continuous AD showed a higher methane production at thermophilic conditions. Thus, the combination of high-rate wastewater treatment and AD of WAS is a promising option for the pulp and paper industry., Funding agencies: Swedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scan-dinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB

The activated sludge process within the pulp and paper industry is generally run to minimize the production of waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to high electricity costs from aeration and relatively large basin volumes. In this study, a pilot-scale activated sludge process was run to evaluate the concept of treating the wastewater at high rate with a low sludge age. Two 150 L containers were used, one for aeration and one for sedimentation and sludge return. The hydraulic retention time was decreased from 24 hours to 7 hours, and the sludge age was lowered from 12 days to 2–4 days. The methane potential of the WAS was evaluated using batch tests, as well as continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) in 4 L reactors in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Wastewater treatment capacity was increased almost four-fold at maintained degradation efficiency. The lower sludge age greatly improved the methane potential of the WAS in batch tests, reaching 170 NmL CH4/g VS at a sludge age of 2 days. In addition, the continuous AD showed a higher methane production at thermophilic conditions. Thus, the combination of high-rate wastewater treatment and AD of WAS is a promising option for the pulp and paper industry., Funding agencies: Swedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scan-dinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB

The activated sludge process within the pulp and paper industry is generally run to minimize the production of waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to high electricity costs from aeration and relatively large basin volumes. In this study, a pilot-scale activated sludge process was run to evaluate the concept of treating the wastewater at high rate with a low sludge age. Two 150 L containers were used, one for aeration and one for sedimentation and sludge return. The hydraulic retention time was decreased from 24 hours to 7 hours, and the sludge age was lowered from 12 days to 2–4 days. The methane potential of the WAS was evaluated using batch tests, as well as continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) in 4 L reactors in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Wastewater treatment capacity was increased almost four-fold at maintained degradation efficiency. The lower sludge age greatly improved the methane potential of the WAS in batch tests, reaching 170 NmL CH4/g VS at a sludge age of 2 days. In addition, the continuous AD showed a higher methane production at thermophilic conditions. Thus, the combination of high-rate wastewater treatment and AD of WAS is a promising option for the pulp and paper industry., Funding agencies: Swedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scan-dinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB

The activated sludge process within the pulp and paper industry is generally run to minimize the production of waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to high electricity costs from aeration and relatively large basin volumes. In this study, a pilot-scale activated sludge process was run to evaluate the concept of treating the wastewater at high rate with a low sludge age. Two 150 L containers were used, one for aeration and one for sedimentation and sludge return. The hydraulic retention time was decreased from 24 hours to 7 hours, and the sludge age was lowered from 12 days to 2–4 days. The methane potential of the WAS was evaluated using batch tests, as well as continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) in 4 L reactors in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Wastewater treatment capacity was increased almost four-fold at maintained degradation efficiency. The lower sludge age greatly improved the methane potential of the WAS in batch tests, reaching 170 NmL CH4/g VS at a sludge age of 2 days. In addition, the continuous AD showed a higher methane production at thermophilic conditions. Thus, the combination of high-rate wastewater treatment and AD of WAS is a promising option for the pulp and paper industry., Funding agencies: Swedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scan-dinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

During the process of pulp- and papermaking, large volumes of fibre-rich primary sludge are generated. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge offers a substantial potential for methane production as an alternative approach to the inefficient energy recoveries by commonly used incineration techniques. However, a systematic study of the importance of upstream process techniques for the methane potential of pulp fibres is lacking. Therefore, biochemical methane potentials were determined at mesophilic conditions for 20 types of fibres processed by a variety of pulping and bleaching techniques and from different raw materials. This included fibres from kraft, sulphite, semi-chemical, chemical thermo-mechanical (CTMP) and thermo-mechanical pulping plants and milled raw wood. The pulping technique was clearly important for the methane potential, with the highest potential achieved for kraft and sulphite fibres (390–400 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 ). For raw wood and CTMP, hardwood fibres gave substantially more methane than the corresponding softwood fibres (240 compared to 50 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 and 300 compared to 160 Nml CH4 g VS− 1 , respectively). Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the organic content demonstrated that the relative lignin content of the fibres was an important factor for methane production, and that an observed positive effect of bleaching on the methane potential of softwood CTMP fibres was likely related to a higher degree of deacetylation and improved accessibility of the hemicellulose. In conclusion, fibres from kraft and sulphite pulping are promising substrates for methane production irrespective of raw material or bleaching, as well as fibres from CTMP pulping of hardwood., Funding agencies: Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Energy Agency [32802-2]; Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB; Poyry AB; BillerudKorsnas AB; SCA; Fiskeby Board AB; Purac AB; Swedish Research Council FormasSwedi

The pulp- and paper industry (PPI) faces a great challenge in finding new ways to reduce its overall carbon emissions. Large quantities of water are used in the pulp- and paper making process. In this context, a more sustainable wastewater treatment with a lower carbon footprint is of relevance for the PPI. Applied to a pulp- and paper mill (PPM) in Norway, the ongoing demonstration project “EffiSludge for LIFE” lowers the wastewater treatments (WWT) energy consumption while turning residual waste (bio sludge) into energy by implementing a new wastewater treatment concept. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current carbon footprint from a hypothetical PPM WWT plant, the potential lowering of the carbon footprint when applying the EffiSludge concept and the benefits in a larger scale assuming EffiSludge would be applied at all of the PPMs WWT in the Nordic countries represented by Sweden, Norway and Finland. An estimation of a current and future carbon footprint from one example mill was provided through the construction of one baseline and two case scenarios. Results from a laboratory biomethane potential experiment together with the responses from a survey and contributions from one example mill provided relevant input to the scenarios. The major impact on carbon emissions in the scenarios came from reducing electricity needed to aerate the biological WWT step. The maximum current carbon footprint from the parts of the WWT process included in the baseline scenario was 9.6-13 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp and the estimated future carbon footprint when implementing the EffiSludge concept was estimated as 3.6-5.9 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp. A reduction of 6-8 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp could be expected by implementing the EffiSludge concept. If the EffiSludge concept was introduced in all of the WWTP connected with Nordic PPMs a reduction of the carbon footprint with 55-180 million kg CO2-eq could be expected each year. This would reduce the total carbon emissions from the European PPI wit

The pulp- and paper industry (PPI) faces a great challenge in finding new ways to reduce its overall carbon emissions. Large quantities of water are used in the pulp- and paper making process. In this context, a more sustainable wastewater treatment with a lower carbon footprint is of relevance for the PPI. Applied to a pulp- and paper mill (PPM) in Norway, the ongoing demonstration project “EffiSludge for LIFE” lowers the wastewater treatments (WWT) energy consumption while turning residual waste (bio sludge) into energy by implementing a new wastewater treatment concept. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current carbon footprint from a hypothetical PPM WWT plant, the potential lowering of the carbon footprint when applying the EffiSludge concept and the benefits in a larger scale assuming EffiSludge would be applied at all of the PPMs WWT in the Nordic countries represented by Sweden, Norway and Finland. An estimation of a current and future carbon footprint from one example mill was provided through the construction of one baseline and two case scenarios. Results from a laboratory biomethane potential experiment together with the responses from a survey and contributions from one example mill provided relevant input to the scenarios. The major impact on carbon emissions in the scenarios came from reducing electricity needed to aerate the biological WWT step. The maximum current carbon footprint from the parts of the WWT process included in the baseline scenario was 9.6-13 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp and the estimated future carbon footprint when implementing the EffiSludge concept was estimated as 3.6-5.9 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp. A reduction of 6-8 kg CO2-eq/kg pulp could be expected by implementing the EffiSludge concept. If the EffiSludge concept was introduced in all of the WWTP connected with Nordic PPMs a reduction of the carbon footprint with 55-180 million kg CO2-eq could be expected each year. This would reduce the total carbon emissions from the European PPI wit

The Swedish pulp and paper industry is the third largest exporter of pulp and paper products worldwide. It is a highly energy-demanding and water-utilising industry, which generates large volumes of wastewater rich in organic material. These organic materials are to different extents suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD) and production of energy-rich biomethane. The implementation of an AD process within the wastewater treatment plant of a mill would increase the treatment capacity and decrease the overall energy consumption due to less aeration and lower sludge production and in addition produce biomethane. Despite the many benefits of AD it is only applied at two mills in Sweden today. The reason for the low implementation over the years may be due to problems encountered linked to the complexity and varying composition of the wastewaters. Due to changes in market demands many mills have broadened their product portfolios and turned towards more refined products. This has increased both the complexity and the variations of the wastewaters´ composition even further, as the above changes can imply an increased pulp bleaching and utilisation of more diverse raw materials within the mills. The main aim of this thesis was therefore to generate knowledge needed for an expansion of the biomethane production within the pulp and paper industry. As a first step to achieve this an evaluation of the biomethane potential and the suitability for AD of wastewaters within a range of Swedish pulp and paper mills was performed. Thus, around 70 wastewater streams from 11 different processes at eight mills were screened for their biomethane potential. In a second step, the impact of shifts in wood raw material and bleaching on the AD process and the biomethane production was investigated and further evaluated in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors. The screening showed that the biomethane potential within the Swedish pulp and paper industry could be estimated to 700 GWh, whic, Den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin är den tredje största exportören av massa och pappersprodukter och en viktig industriell aktör i Sverige. Det är en industri med hög energi- och vattenanvändning, som genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten rika på organiskt material. Detta organiska material kan via anaerob nedbrytning användas för att producera energirik biometan. Användandet av anaerob behandling, som ett steg i brukens vattenrening, genererar inte bara biometan utan kan också öka reningskapaciteten och minska energiförbrukning och kostnader tack vare minskat behov av luftning och minskad slamproduktion. Trots de många fördelarna med anaerob behandling är den idag bara tillämpad på två bruk i Sverige. En av orsakerna till detta kan vara processproblem som relaterats till avloppsvattnens komplexitet samt varierande sammansättning och flöden. Många pappers- och massabruk har utökat sina produktportföljer med bl a mer förfinade produkter, som en följd av en förändrad marknad. Dessa förändringar har ökat avloppsvattnens komplexitet och variation än mer, då ovan exempelvis kan medföra en ökad produktion av blekt massa samt att fler typer av träråvaror används vid ett och samma bruk. Huvudsyftet med föreliggande avhandling är att bidra med kunskap för en ökad produktion av biometan inom pappers- och massaindustrin. Som ett första steg genomfördes en övergripande utvärdering av ca 70 avloppsvattenströmmar från totalt 11 olika processer vid åtta svenska pappers- och massabruk med fokus på biometanpotential samt lämplighet för anaerob behandling. I ett andra steg utvärderades hur skiften i träråvara samt blekning påverkar biometanproduktionen samt processtabiliteten för en kontinuerlig anaerob nedbrytningsprocess i en UASBreaktor. Den initiala utvärderingen visade att den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin skulle kunna bidra med 700 GWh biometan per år, vilket motsvarar 40% av biometanproduktionen i Sverige under 2014. Beroende på utformningen av det enskilda bruket

The Swedish pulp and paper industry is the third largest exporter of pulp and paper products worldwide. It is a highly energy-demanding and water-utilising industry, which generates large volumes of wastewater rich in organic material. These organic materials are to different extents suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD) and production of energy-rich biomethane. The implementation of an AD process within the wastewater treatment plant of a mill would increase the treatment capacity and decrease the overall energy consumption due to less aeration and lower sludge production and in addition produce biomethane. Despite the many benefits of AD it is only applied at two mills in Sweden today. The reason for the low implementation over the years may be due to problems encountered linked to the complexity and varying composition of the wastewaters. Due to changes in market demands many mills have broadened their product portfolios and turned towards more refined products. This has increased both the complexity and the variations of the wastewaters´ composition even further, as the above changes can imply an increased pulp bleaching and utilisation of more diverse raw materials within the mills. The main aim of this thesis was therefore to generate knowledge needed for an expansion of the biomethane production within the pulp and paper industry. As a first step to achieve this an evaluation of the biomethane potential and the suitability for AD of wastewaters within a range of Swedish pulp and paper mills was performed. Thus, around 70 wastewater streams from 11 different processes at eight mills were screened for their biomethane potential. In a second step, the impact of shifts in wood raw material and bleaching on the AD process and the biomethane production was investigated and further evaluated in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors. The screening showed that the biomethane potential within the Swedish pulp and paper industry could be estimated to 700 GWh, whic, Den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin är den tredje största exportören av massa och pappersprodukter och en viktig industriell aktör i Sverige. Det är en industri med hög energi- och vattenanvändning, som genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten rika på organiskt material. Detta organiska material kan via anaerob nedbrytning användas för att producera energirik biometan. Användandet av anaerob behandling, som ett steg i brukens vattenrening, genererar inte bara biometan utan kan också öka reningskapaciteten och minska energiförbrukning och kostnader tack vare minskat behov av luftning och minskad slamproduktion. Trots de många fördelarna med anaerob behandling är den idag bara tillämpad på två bruk i Sverige. En av orsakerna till detta kan vara processproblem som relaterats till avloppsvattnens komplexitet samt varierande sammansättning och flöden. Många pappers- och massabruk har utökat sina produktportföljer med bl a mer förfinade produkter, som en följd av en förändrad marknad. Dessa förändringar har ökat avloppsvattnens komplexitet och variation än mer, då ovan exempelvis kan medföra en ökad produktion av blekt massa samt att fler typer av träråvaror används vid ett och samma bruk. Huvudsyftet med föreliggande avhandling är att bidra med kunskap för en ökad produktion av biometan inom pappers- och massaindustrin. Som ett första steg genomfördes en övergripande utvärdering av ca 70 avloppsvattenströmmar från totalt 11 olika processer vid åtta svenska pappers- och massabruk med fokus på biometanpotential samt lämplighet för anaerob behandling. I ett andra steg utvärderades hur skiften i träråvara samt blekning påverkar biometanproduktionen samt processtabiliteten för en kontinuerlig anaerob nedbrytningsprocess i en UASBreaktor. Den initiala utvärderingen visade att den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin skulle kunna bidra med 700 GWh biometan per år, vilket motsvarar 40% av biometanproduktionen i Sverige under 2014. Beroende på utformningen av det enskilda bruket

The Swedish pulp and paper industry is the third largest exporter of pulp and paper products worldwide. It is a highly energy-demanding and water-utilising industry, which generates large volumes of wastewater rich in organic material. These organic materials are to different extents suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD) and production of energy-rich biomethane. The implementation of an AD process within the wastewater treatment plant of a mill would increase the treatment capacity and decrease the overall energy consumption due to less aeration and lower sludge production and in addition produce biomethane. Despite the many benefits of AD it is only applied at two mills in Sweden today. The reason for the low implementation over the years may be due to problems encountered linked to the complexity and varying composition of the wastewaters. Due to changes in market demands many mills have broadened their product portfolios and turned towards more refined products. This has increased both the complexity and the variations of the wastewaters´ composition even further, as the above changes can imply an increased pulp bleaching and utilisation of more diverse raw materials within the mills. The main aim of this thesis was therefore to generate knowledge needed for an expansion of the biomethane production within the pulp and paper industry. As a first step to achieve this an evaluation of the biomethane potential and the suitability for AD of wastewaters within a range of Swedish pulp and paper mills was performed. Thus, around 70 wastewater streams from 11 different processes at eight mills were screened for their biomethane potential. In a second step, the impact of shifts in wood raw material and bleaching on the AD process and the biomethane production was investigated and further evaluated in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors. The screening showed that the biomethane potential within the Swedish pulp and paper industry could be estimated to 700 GWh, whic, Den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin är den tredje största exportören av massa och pappersprodukter och en viktig industriell aktör i Sverige. Det är en industri med hög energi- och vattenanvändning, som genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten rika på organiskt material. Detta organiska material kan via anaerob nedbrytning användas för att producera energirik biometan. Användandet av anaerob behandling, som ett steg i brukens vattenrening, genererar inte bara biometan utan kan också öka reningskapaciteten och minska energiförbrukning och kostnader tack vare minskat behov av luftning och minskad slamproduktion. Trots de många fördelarna med anaerob behandling är den idag bara tillämpad på två bruk i Sverige. En av orsakerna till detta kan vara processproblem som relaterats till avloppsvattnens komplexitet samt varierande sammansättning och flöden. Många pappers- och massabruk har utökat sina produktportföljer med bl a mer förfinade produkter, som en följd av en förändrad marknad. Dessa förändringar har ökat avloppsvattnens komplexitet och variation än mer, då ovan exempelvis kan medföra en ökad produktion av blekt massa samt att fler typer av träråvaror används vid ett och samma bruk. Huvudsyftet med föreliggande avhandling är att bidra med kunskap för en ökad produktion av biometan inom pappers- och massaindustrin. Som ett första steg genomfördes en övergripande utvärdering av ca 70 avloppsvattenströmmar från totalt 11 olika processer vid åtta svenska pappers- och massabruk med fokus på biometanpotential samt lämplighet för anaerob behandling. I ett andra steg utvärderades hur skiften i träråvara samt blekning påverkar biometanproduktionen samt processtabiliteten för en kontinuerlig anaerob nedbrytningsprocess i en UASBreaktor. Den initiala utvärderingen visade att den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin skulle kunna bidra med 700 GWh biometan per år, vilket motsvarar 40% av biometanproduktionen i Sverige under 2014. Beroende på utformningen av det enskilda bruket

The Swedish pulp and paper industry is the third largest exporter of pulp and paper products worldwide. It is a highly energy-demanding and water-utilising industry, which generates large volumes of wastewater rich in organic material. These organic materials are to different extents suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD) and production of energy-rich biomethane. The implementation of an AD process within the wastewater treatment plant of a mill would increase the treatment capacity and decrease the overall energy consumption due to less aeration and lower sludge production and in addition produce biomethane. Despite the many benefits of AD it is only applied at two mills in Sweden today. The reason for the low implementation over the years may be due to problems encountered linked to the complexity and varying composition of the wastewaters. Due to changes in market demands many mills have broadened their product portfolios and turned towards more refined products. This has increased both the complexity and the variations of the wastewaters´ composition even further, as the above changes can imply an increased pulp bleaching and utilisation of more diverse raw materials within the mills. The main aim of this thesis was therefore to generate knowledge needed for an expansion of the biomethane production within the pulp and paper industry. As a first step to achieve this an evaluation of the biomethane potential and the suitability for AD of wastewaters within a range of Swedish pulp and paper mills was performed. Thus, around 70 wastewater streams from 11 different processes at eight mills were screened for their biomethane potential. In a second step, the impact of shifts in wood raw material and bleaching on the AD process and the biomethane production was investigated and further evaluated in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors. The screening showed that the biomethane potential within the Swedish pulp and paper industry could be estimated to 700 GWh, whic, Den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin är den tredje största exportören av massa och pappersprodukter och en viktig industriell aktör i Sverige. Det är en industri med hög energi- och vattenanvändning, som genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten rika på organiskt material. Detta organiska material kan via anaerob nedbrytning användas för att producera energirik biometan. Användandet av anaerob behandling, som ett steg i brukens vattenrening, genererar inte bara biometan utan kan också öka reningskapaciteten och minska energiförbrukning och kostnader tack vare minskat behov av luftning och minskad slamproduktion. Trots de många fördelarna med anaerob behandling är den idag bara tillämpad på två bruk i Sverige. En av orsakerna till detta kan vara processproblem som relaterats till avloppsvattnens komplexitet samt varierande sammansättning och flöden. Många pappers- och massabruk har utökat sina produktportföljer med bl a mer förfinade produkter, som en följd av en förändrad marknad. Dessa förändringar har ökat avloppsvattnens komplexitet och variation än mer, då ovan exempelvis kan medföra en ökad produktion av blekt massa samt att fler typer av träråvaror används vid ett och samma bruk. Huvudsyftet med föreliggande avhandling är att bidra med kunskap för en ökad produktion av biometan inom pappers- och massaindustrin. Som ett första steg genomfördes en övergripande utvärdering av ca 70 avloppsvattenströmmar från totalt 11 olika processer vid åtta svenska pappers- och massabruk med fokus på biometanpotential samt lämplighet för anaerob behandling. I ett andra steg utvärderades hur skiften i träråvara samt blekning påverkar biometanproduktionen samt processtabiliteten för en kontinuerlig anaerob nedbrytningsprocess i en UASBreaktor. Den initiala utvärderingen visade att den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin skulle kunna bidra med 700 GWh biometan per år, vilket motsvarar 40% av biometanproduktionen i Sverige under 2014. Beroende på utformningen av det enskilda bruket

The Swedish pulp and paper industry is the third largest exporter of pulp and paper products worldwide. It is a highly energy-demanding and water-utilising industry, which generates large volumes of wastewater rich in organic material. These organic materials are to different extents suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD) and production of energy-rich biomethane. The implementation of an AD process within the wastewater treatment plant of a mill would increase the treatment capacity and decrease the overall energy consumption due to less aeration and lower sludge production and in addition produce biomethane. Despite the many benefits of AD it is only applied at two mills in Sweden today. The reason for the low implementation over the years may be due to problems encountered linked to the complexity and varying composition of the wastewaters. Due to changes in market demands many mills have broadened their product portfolios and turned towards more refined products. This has increased both the complexity and the variations of the wastewaters´ composition even further, as the above changes can imply an increased pulp bleaching and utilisation of more diverse raw materials within the mills. The main aim of this thesis was therefore to generate knowledge needed for an expansion of the biomethane production within the pulp and paper industry. As a first step to achieve this an evaluation of the biomethane potential and the suitability for AD of wastewaters within a range of Swedish pulp and paper mills was performed. Thus, around 70 wastewater streams from 11 different processes at eight mills were screened for their biomethane potential. In a second step, the impact of shifts in wood raw material and bleaching on the AD process and the biomethane production was investigated and further evaluated in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors. The screening showed that the biomethane potential within the Swedish pulp and paper industry could be estimated to 700 GWh, whic, Den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin är den tredje största exportören av massa och pappersprodukter och en viktig industriell aktör i Sverige. Det är en industri med hög energi- och vattenanvändning, som genererar stora mängder avloppsvatten rika på organiskt material. Detta organiska material kan via anaerob nedbrytning användas för att producera energirik biometan. Användandet av anaerob behandling, som ett steg i brukens vattenrening, genererar inte bara biometan utan kan också öka reningskapaciteten och minska energiförbrukning och kostnader tack vare minskat behov av luftning och minskad slamproduktion. Trots de många fördelarna med anaerob behandling är den idag bara tillämpad på två bruk i Sverige. En av orsakerna till detta kan vara processproblem som relaterats till avloppsvattnens komplexitet samt varierande sammansättning och flöden. Många pappers- och massabruk har utökat sina produktportföljer med bl a mer förfinade produkter, som en följd av en förändrad marknad. Dessa förändringar har ökat avloppsvattnens komplexitet och variation än mer, då ovan exempelvis kan medföra en ökad produktion av blekt massa samt att fler typer av träråvaror används vid ett och samma bruk. Huvudsyftet med föreliggande avhandling är att bidra med kunskap för en ökad produktion av biometan inom pappers- och massaindustrin. Som ett första steg genomfördes en övergripande utvärdering av ca 70 avloppsvattenströmmar från totalt 11 olika processer vid åtta svenska pappers- och massabruk med fokus på biometanpotential samt lämplighet för anaerob behandling. I ett andra steg utvärderades hur skiften i träråvara samt blekning påverkar biometanproduktionen samt processtabiliteten för en kontinuerlig anaerob nedbrytningsprocess i en UASBreaktor. Den initiala utvärderingen visade att den svenska pappers- och massaindustrin skulle kunna bidra med 700 GWh biometan per år, vilket motsvarar 40% av biometanproduktionen i Sverige under 2014. Beroende på utformningen av det enskilda bruket

The pulp and paper industry carries high costs in wastewater treatment. By combining present techniques with anaerobic digestion (AD), expenses for electricity use and sludge disposal can be reduced. The large wastewater volumes require high-rate systems sensitive to suspended solids, and this has so far excluded treatment of the energy-rich wood fibres. In this study, AD of fibrous wastewater was examined in high-rate CSTRs with sludge recirculation. Two lab-scale reactors (4L) were run for 780 days. Once a day, reactor sludge was withdrawn and centrifuged. The main part of the supernatant was discarded, while the pellet was suspended with the substrate and returned to the reactor. This gave a sludge retention time of 10-16 days and a hydraulic retention time of 4-8 days. One reactor (denoted R1) was fed with fibre sludge, and the second reactor (denoted R2) was co-digesting fibre sludge and activated sludge. Both substrates were taken from a Kraft mill in Sweden. Initially, both reactors experienced frequent drops in pH, and continuous alkali supplements were necessary for process stability. Additions of magnesium and potassium were also needed to obtain stable process performance at an OLR of 3 g VS L-1·day-1. R1 and R2 behaved similarly, but R2 (co-digestion) was more robust with less or no fluctuations in VFA and pH. Addition of activated sludge also to R1 allowed an increase in OLR to 4 g VS L-1·day-1. In summary, stable and efficient operation of a high-rate CSTR with sludge recirculation digesting fibre sludge was achieved at an OLR of 4 g VS L-1·day-1, a HRT of 4 days and a methane production of 260±20 Nml. In addition, co-digestion with activated sludge stabilized the performance at increased OLR and thus gave more methane produced per reactor volume.

Anaerobic digestion of alkaline kraft elemental chlorine-free bleaching wastewater in two mesophilic, lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors resulted in significantly higher biogas production (250 ± 50 vs. 120 ± 30 NmL g [Formula: see text]) and reduction of filtered total organic carbon (fTOC) (60 ± 5 vs. 43 ± 6%) for wastewater from processing of hardwood (HW) compared with softwood (SW). In all cases, the gas production was likely underestimated due to poor gas separation in the reactors. Despite changes in wastewater characteristics, a stable anaerobic process was maintained with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) between 7 and 14 h. Lowering the HRT (from 13.5 to 8.5 h) did not significantly affect the process, and the stable performance at 8.5 h leaves room for further decreases in HRT. The results show that this type of wastewater is suitable for a full-scale implementation, but the difference in methane potential between SW and HW is important to consider both regarding process dimensioning and biogas yield optimization.