This study suggested recovering energy from the sludge of wastewater treatment plants through an anaerobic fermentation process. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants of fish processing factory (C) and shrimp processing factory (T) were collected for the testing of this study. | Journal of Science and Technology 54 (2A) (2016) 49-55 ENERGY RECOVERY FROM ACTIVE SLUDGE OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan1, 2, *, Trinh Hoai Duc2, Tran Chi Toi2, Do Thi My Phuong2 1 Department of International Relations, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho city, Viet Nam 2 College of Environment & Natural Resources, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho city, Viet Nam * Email: nvcngan@ Received: 10 June 2016; Accepted for publication: 20 June 2016 ABSTRACT Due to fast growth of industrial sector, the volume of sludge from wastewater treatment systems increases, and this becomes a big problem to the environment. The cost for treatment of sludge is high and requires typical landfill for disposal. This study suggested recovering energy from the sludge of wastewater treatment plants through an anaerobic fermentation process. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants of fish processing factory (C) and shrimp processing factory (T) were collected for the testing of this study. The 20 L lab-scale batch anaerobic digesters were used to ferment sludge which has different humidity of 85 - 90 % and of 95 98 %. The biogas yield of the treatment C 85-90 is , C 95-98 is , T 85-90 is , and T 95 - 98 is L/kg ODMfermented. After 10 operation days, the percentage of CH4 in the produced biogas was around 50 % which is high enough for energy purposes. The result clearly confirms that sludge from wastewater treatment plants not only is possible treated in anaerobic digesters but also is able to be applied as input material to produce biogas for energy consumption. Keywords: batch anaerobic digestion, fish processing factory, sludge wastewater treatment plants. 1. INTRODUCTION Due to the advantage of natural conditions, fishery and aquaculture are considered as major career for local people in the Mekong River Delta [1]. In 2014, production from fisheries and aquaculture reached .
