In thermophilic digestion, increased temperature primarily affects what facet of the digestion process?

In thermophilic digestion, increased temperature significantly influences organic matter degradation. Thermophilic conditions, which typically range from 45°C to 65°C, enhance the activity of specific microbial communities that thrive at these elevated temperatures. These microorganisms are more efficient at breaking down complex organic compounds than their mesophilic counterparts, leading to increased degradation rates.

The higher temperatures accelerate biochemical reactions involved in the breakdown of organic material, improving the efficiency of the digestion process. Consequently, this results in a more substantial reduction of volatile solids and enhances the stabilization of the residuals produced after digestion. The increased efficiency also leads to a more rapid conversion of organic material into biogas, which ultimately yields higher gas production rates as well.

While microbial diversity and solids retention time are factors in the digestion process, they are not primarily affected by the increased temperatures in thermophilic conditions. Therefore, the key facet influenced by higher temperatures is the enhanced organic matter degradation, highlighting the advantages of thermophilic digestion in wastewater treatment.