Anaerobic digestion is a cornerstone technology for biosolids stabilization and renewable energy recovery, yet conventional systems remain constrained by the intrinsic coupling between hydraulic retention time (HRT) and solids retention time (SRT). These limitations restrict organic loading capacity, methane productivity, and process flexibility, particularly for utilities facing increasing sludge production and infrastructure constraints. This presentation introduces IntensiCarb™, an innovative digestion intensification platform designed to enable high-rate biosolids treatment through integrated vacuum-assisted water extraction and process-controlled ammonia management. By selectively removing water from digestate while retaining biomass and particulate organics within the system,IntensiCarb™ increases effective solids concentration and creates conditions that partially decouple SRT from HRT, analogous to intensification strategies used in activated sludge processes. Operational experience and scale-up perspectives from pilot and pre-commercial evaluations will be presented, including impacts on volatile solids destruction, methane generation, digester stability, ammonia inhibition control, and downstream biosolids management. Results indicate that the process can enhance digester throughput while reducing dilution effects and improving operational resilience under elevated loading conditions. The presentation will further discuss implementation considerations, integration with existing digestion infrastructure, and the role of IntensiCarb™ in supporting low-footprint, energy-efficient, and resource-recovery-oriented wastewater treatment facilities.
Farouk Kakar and Kati Bell, Hazen & Sawyer, USA