Co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste in a wastewater treatment plant based on mainstream anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology: A techno-economic evaluation

The implementation of anaerobic membrane bioreactor as mainstream technology would reduce the load sidestream digesters. This research evaluated techno-economic implications co-digesting sewage sludge and food waste in such wastewater treatment plants to optimise usage line infrastructure. Three organic loading rates (1.0, 1.5 2.0 kg VS m−3 d−1) different strategies manage additional nutrients backload were considered. Results showed that higher electricity revenue from offsets costs acceptance infrastructure biosolids disposal. However, did not offset when was treated (partial-nitritation/anammox struvite precipitation). Biosolids disposal identified most important gross cost contributor all scenarios. Finally, a sensitivity analysis gate fee had noticeable influence on co-digestion economic feasibility.