In this study, microwave irradiation, which is reflected by metals, was used to reduce the amount of sewage sludge, and the results were used to verify solubilization efficiency and determine optimum operation conditions. Biogas production and methane content of the gas under optimized conditions were measured with the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. The sludge was taken from a thickened sludge tank at J sewage treatment plant (JSTP) in Seoul, Korea. For the experiments, 50 mL of sludge was filled in vessels and the vessels were irradiated with the power of 500, 600, 700, and 800W for 2~5 min. In addition, Fe powder was added by 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 g to compare the efficiency with and without Fe powder. The results confirmed that solubilization efficiency was higher in the presence of Fe powder. The optimum conditions of 0.01 g addition of Fe powder with 800W irradiation for 5 min, yielded nearly 22.95% higher solubilization efficiency than without Fe powder. The BMP tests were carried out using sludge obtained from the experiments carried out under the optimum conditions. As a result, sludge subjected by 800W with 0.01 g of Fe powder for 5 min displayed the highest level of gas production and methane content. Through this study, it could be confirmed that solubilization efficiency increased by addition of Fe powder.

Keywords: Sewage sludge;Microwave;Reduction;Anaerobic digestion;Solubilization;