What is a common operational challenge associated with anaerobic digesters?

Maintaining temperature is a critical operational challenge associated with anaerobic digesters because these systems rely on specific temperature ranges to optimize the microbial activity necessary for digestion. Anaerobic digesters typically operate most efficiently at mesophilic (around 30-40°C) or thermophilic (around 50-60°C) temperatures. Fluctuations in temperature can lead to inhibited microbial function, reduced gas production, and lower overall efficiency of the digestion process. If the temperature drops too low, it may adversely affect the digestion rates and the health of the anaerobic microbial community, potentially resulting in operational failures.

The other challenges listed do not primarily align with the operational aspects of anaerobic digesters. Excessive oxygen supply is counterproductive in anaerobic processes where oxygen must be excluded for the system to function properly. High nutrient removal typically pertains to other treatment processes rather than being an inherent challenge of anaerobic digestion itself. Low sludge volume is often considered a benefit of effective anaerobic digestion, as the process generally reduces the volume of sludge produced compared to aerobic processes, and is not viewed as an operational challenge.