The effects of lime and sodium hydroxide on gas production from stored sewage sludge were examined. The impact of calcium on gas production was also investigated. The rate and volume of gas production and change in pH over time were monitored in all the reactors in an effort to study the relationship between chemical dose, pH, and gas production.

The duration of inhibition of gas production increased with the lime dose. Gas production was initiated only after the pH in the reactors decreased to near 8.0. A decrease in pH was observed in all the lime dosed reactors with an initial pH less than 12.0. An initial pH greater than 12.0 was required to completely arrest organic acid and gas production. For the sludge used in this study, a quick lime dose of 0.36 Ib/lb of dry solids, which elevated the pH to higher than 12.0, was required for complete inhibition of gas production.

Gas production and pH patterns observed in sodium hydroxide dosed reactors were similar to those in lime dosed reactors. A decrease in pH by nearly 2 pH units was observed in these reactors after calcium chloride addition. This was thought to be primarily due to the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Gas production after elutriation was observed in all the reactors with an initial pH less than 11.5. The volume of gas produced after elutriation decreased with increase in initial pH. An NaOH (19N) dose of 0.29 Ib/Ib of dry solids was required for permanent prevention of gas production.

Calcium alone was not capable of arresting gas production but it reduced the total gas production in the reactors with a pH less than 7.5. At pH values greater than 7.5, calcium had little effect on gas production.