Anaerobic digestion of municipal solid wastes: dry thermophilic performance

Bioresour Technol. 2008 Nov;99(17):8180-4. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.021. Epub 2008 Apr 22.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of two laboratory-scale reactors (5.0L) treating organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW): source sorted OFMSW (SS_OFMSW) obtained from a university restaurant and mechanically selected municipal fraction (MS_OFMSW) obtained from a Municipal Treatment Plant placed in Cadiz-Spain. Discontinuous reactors operated at thermophilic (55 degrees C) and dry (20% total solid) conditions. Different decomposition patterns were observed: (1) the SS_OFMSW exhibited the classical waste decomposition pattern with a fast start up phase beginning within 0-5 days and 20-30 and a subsequent stabilization phase. The VS removal was 45% with a cumulative biogas of 120L in approx. 60 days; (2) the MS_OFMSW showed a methanogenic pattern throughout the whole experimental period (60 days) and this gave higher levels of organic biodegradation (56%VSr) and biogas production (82L). Both processes were completed and a high level of cumulative methane production was achieved in less than 60 days, proximally 25-30L.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis
  • Bioreactors
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Methane / chemistry
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Temperature*
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Methane
  • Oxygen