In this study, we explored a chemical approach to eliminate inhibition of excessive volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD). Ferric nitrate, ferric chloride, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride were employed to demonstrate the combined action of ferric ion and nitrate ion. Supplementation of ferric nitrate in the sludge digestion system resulted in reducing the concentration of Total VFAs (TVFA) by round 5000 mg/L and more than 2000 mg/L of acetic acid at the end of digestion. Lower TVFA concentration contributed to faster sludge stabilization rate and the VS removal of ferric nitrate dosed digester achieved 38.18% after 12 days digestion which was 9 days in advance compared with the stabilization time of sludge in digester without chemicals addition. Lower concentrations of NH4+-N and SCOD in supernatant while higher content of TP in digestion sludge were obtained in digester with ferric nitrate added. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.