What does a Volatile Solids Reduction (VSR) percentage between 50 to 60% indicate?

A Volatile Solids Reduction (VSR) percentage between 50 to 60% indicates a healthy digester because it demonstrates that the anaerobic digestion process is effectively breaking down organic material. In wastewater treatment, this percentage reflects how well the digester is converting volatile solids into biogas. A VSR in this range suggests that the microbial activity within the digester is functioning optimally, leading to a significant reduction in waste volume and the generation of useful biogas as a byproduct.

In contrast, lower percentages could imply that the digester is not functioning properly and may be struggling to break down solids, while higher percentages may indicate that the digester is operating too efficiently, potentially consuming all the substrates too quickly or leading to issues with process balance. Hence, a VSR of 50 to 60% is seen as indicative of effective digestion, supporting the overall health and efficiency of the wastewater treatment system.