Strategies for the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste: an overview

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 7-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hartmann ◽  
B.K. Ahring

Different process strategies for anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) are reviewed weighing high-solids versus low-solids, mesophilic versus thermophilic and single-stage versus multi-stage processes. The influence of different waste characteristics such as composition of biodegradable fractions, C:N ratio and particle size is described. Generally, source sorting of OFMSW and a high content of food waste leads to higher biogas yields than the use of mechanically sorted OFMSW. Thermophilic processes are more efficient than mesophilic processes in terms of higher biogas yields at different organic loading rates (OLR). Highest biogas yields are achieved by means of wet thermophilic processes at OLRs lower than 6 kg-VS·m−3 d−1. High-solids processes appear to be relatively more efficient when OLRs higher than 6 kg-VS·m−3 d−1 are applied. Multi-stage systems show in some investigations a higher reduction of recalcitrant organic matter compared to single-stage systems, but they are seldom applied in full-scale. An extended cost-benefit calculation shows that the highest overall benefit of the process is achieved at an OLR that is lower and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) that is longer than those values of OLR and HRT, at which the highest biogas production is achieved.

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kayhanian ◽  
G. Tchobanoglous

An innovative system for stabilizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has been documented on a pilot scale at the Civil Engineering Department of the University of California at Davis. The system involves the combined methods of high-solids anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting for the recovery of energy and the production of compost from the OFMSW. The performance of the high-solids anaerobic reactor was monitored for three mass retention times. The anaerobic digester was operated under extreme as well as normal conditions. The performance of the aerobic compost unit was monitored based on the physical and chemical characteristics of the final humus by-product. In general, the combined process was very stable at a 30 d retention time and is capable of removing essentially all of the biodegradable fraction of the organic fraction of MSW. A biogas production level of up to 6 liters per liter of active volume of reactor was achieved. The process stability and gas production decreased slightly when the retention time was reduced to 15 d. The output from the second stage is a fine humus-like material with a thermal content of about 14.80 MJ/kg.


2013 ◽  
Vol 295-298 ◽  
pp. 1834-1839
Author(s):  
Jian Chang Li ◽  
Ya Ge Yuan ◽  
Juan He ◽  
Rui Xu

Hydrolytic enzymes, which are very key enzymes in hydrolytic step of anaerobic digestion, have an important effect on substrate hydrolysis and biogas production. To research those effect, this paper have investigated the relationship between lipase activity and biogas rate with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as substrate, at the mesophilic temperature and batch fermentation. The results showed that in the process of AD, the curve of lipase activity was similar as that of biogas rate. With the increase and drop of enzyme activity, biogas rate increased and dropped. When biogas rate was at its peak period, enzyme activity of lipase was at its peak period, too.


2010 ◽  
Vol 101 (14) ◽  
pp. 5728-5732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Schievano ◽  
Giuliana D’Imporzano ◽  
Luca Malagutti ◽  
Emilio Fragali ◽  
Gabriella Ruboni ◽  
...  

Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Omid Norouzi ◽  
Animesh Dutta

With the implementation of new policies supporting renewable natural gas production from organic wastes, Canada began replacing traditional disposal methods with highly integrated biogas production strategies. Herein, data from published papers, Canadian Biogas Association, Canada’s national statistical agency, and energy companies’ websites were gathered to gain insight into the current status of anaerobic digestion plants in recovering energy and resource from organic wastes. The availability of materials prepared for recycling by companies and local waste management organizations and existing infrastructures for municipal solid waste management were examined. Governmental incentives and discouragements in Canada and world anaerobic digestion leaders regarding organic fraction municipal solid waste management were comprehensively reviewed to identify the opportunities for developing large-scale anaerobic digestion in Canada. A range of anaerobic digestion facilities, including water resource recovery facilities, standalone digesters, and on-farm digesters throughout Ontario, were compared in terms of digestion type, digester volume, feedstock (s), and electricity capacity to better understand the current role of biogas plants in this province. Finally, technology perspectives, solutions, and roadmaps were discussed to shape the future in terms of organic fraction municipal solid waste management. The findings suggested that the biogas industry growth in Canada relies on provincial energy and waste management policies, advanced technologies for diverting organic waste from landfills, improving biogas yield using existing pretreatment methods, and educating farmers regarding digester operations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document