A Williams, Thermal hydrolysis improves the efficiency of biogas production, New Energy World, 23 March 2022 https://knowledge.energyinst.org/new-energy-world/article?id=126718

In the biogas world, the need for improvements in production is recognised. In connection with the treatment of the wastewater source, the addition of thermal hydrolysis plants has increased the throughput capacities of anaerobic digesters as well as energy recovery from the waste sludge. The process involves feeding the sludge to a pulper for homogenising, then to a reactor at 180°C and 6 bar to kill pathogens, and finally to a flash tank feedimg an anaerobic digester. Furthermore, nutrient phosphates released from the sludge can be recovered downstream. A number of companies in France, Noway, UK and US are active in this technology.