Date: 27 March 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 16:00 Indian Standard Time

Link for Registration: shorturl.at/diKMZ

Webinar Abstract
 
Wastewater generated from cities and towns are treated in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). STPs produce two products: (i) treated wastewater and (ii) sludge. 
 
Sludge is treated in anaerobic digesters to stabilize the sludge, produce biogas and reduce the volume of sludge to be disposed of. However, the digested sludge produced from digester contains pathogens (disease causing bacteria) and present a health hazard.  So, the digested sludge needs to be further treated to produce pathogen-free sludge which can be used as a fertilizer or soil conditioner/amendment.
 
Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) is an advanced anaerobic process which is placed ahead of the anaerobic digesters as a pre-treatment process. In THP, the sludge is first subjected to a high pressure of 6-6.5 bar and a high temperature of 160-165 degree Celsius for 20-30 minutes. The pressurized and high temperature sludge is then suddenly exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure and temperature leading to steam explosion. Thermal pre-treatment and steam explosion disintegrates the sludge floc and improves the degradability of the sludge, by destroying chemical bonds in the cell wall and membrane of the bacteria and in addition denatures carbohydrates, lipids and proteins which become more accessible to biological degradation in downstream anaerobic digesters.
 
Using THP as a pre-treatment process for anaerobic digesters:
 

• produces a pathogen-free sludge.
• reduces the digester volume by 60-70%.
• increases biogas generation by 20-50%.
• reduces the volume of digested sludge to be disposed by 30-50%.
• decreases the operational cost of sludge treatment by 30-50%.
• produces a biosolid with no or little odour.
• reduces carbon footprint.

Brief bio of the resource person
 
Dr. Indra N. Mitra is a seasoned Business Professional and Technologist renowned for his expertise in the field of Water and Wastewater management. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Mitra has achieved remarkable success in both entrepreneurial ventures and corporate leadership roles.
 
As the founder of two thriving start-ups in India, he brought foreign technology companies to new heights of success in the Indian market. His pioneering work in Water and Wastewater treatment has earned him recognition as a "Who's Who" in Water & Wastewater by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE).
 
Throughout his career, Dr. Mitra has spearheaded numerous projects in Wastewater Treatment, Sewage Treatment, and Water Treatment, securing funding from prestigious international agencies such as JICA, ADB, and the World Bank. His expertise encompasses a wide range of advanced technologies, including Biological Nutrient Removal, Anaerobic Digestion, and Thermal Hydrolysis
Process.
 
In his leadership roles, Dr. Mitra has made significant contributions to renowned companies such as Cambi (Europe), Jacobs (U.S.), and Tetra Tech (U.S.), driving business growth and innovation in the field of environmental engineering. His consultancy services have been sought after by governments, multinational corporations, and prestigious organizations worldwide.
 
Dr. Mitra has completed B. Tech from IIT, Kharagpur, India, M.S. from Vanderbilt University, USA, Ph. D from Lehigh University, USA & MBA from Virginia Tech, USA. He has presented in more than 200 conferences, seminars and workshops. He has authored several books and papers and is a member to several leading associations and organizations.