Solids & Biosolids HandlingIntermediate 32 min read

Solids & Biosolids Handling: System Optimization

Class B depth on anaerobic digestion process control and troubleshooting, aerobic digestion as an alternative stabilization pathway, dewatering technology tradeoffs, and the agronomic-rate concept behind biosolids land application.

By the time a digester has visibly soured — dropping pH, cratering gas production, rising VFAs — the easy fixes are already off the table. Real digester optimization happens upstream of that point: matching loading rate to biological capacity, keeping mixing and temperature tight, and catching the VFA/alkalinity trend while there's still time to act on it. This guide takes the process-control fundamentals from the Class C level and pushes them into full operational depth, then adds the two big systems that round out a Class B operator's solids toolkit: dewatering technology selection and the basics of land application.

Anaerobic Digestion Process Control in Depth

Loading Rate

Digester loading is normally expressed as an organic (volatile solids) loading rate — pounds of volatile solids fed per day per unit of digester volume (lb VS/day/ft³). Every digester has a biological

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