Foaming in Anaerobic Digestion: Challenges and solutions

Join us for our next Anaerobic Digestion Special Interest Group (AD SIG) event addressing the challenges of foaming in AD.

The issue of foaming in anaerobic digesters is a common and potentially costly problem for operators. Problems occur when the foam produced in the reactor rises to the surface and builds up, forming a stable and persistent layer. The foam can cause a range of issues, including process instability, reduced biogas production, and even plant shutdowns.

Multiple factors can contribute to foaming in anaerobic digestion plants including feedstock profile and nutrient imbalance, the presence of surface active agents such as soaps or surfactants, fluctuations in pH, temperature, or hydraulic retention time, or the imbalance of carbon dioxide to methane ratio. The challenge of foaming largely depends on the specific conditions and characteristics of each digester.

At this online event we will discuss best practices for foaming prevention, getting the feedstock mix right for your digester, processing, and pre-treatment as well as looking at a range of chemical and mechanical technologies offering defoaming solutions.