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Full scale co-digestion of organic waste
H Kübler1, K Hoppenheidt, P Hirsch
1REA-GmbH, Rottmannstr. 18, D-80333 München, Germany.
Summary
This study assessed co-digestion of municipal solid waste, finding seasonal variations impact biogas production. Optimizing hydraulic retention time improved gas production rates, yielding surplus energy and low-pollutant compost.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Waste Management
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) presents challenges due to contaminants and grit.
- Co-digestion facilities require efficient pre-treatment to handle diverse waste streams and maximize volatile solids (VS) conversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the operational performance of a co-digestion facility over 18 months.
- To analyze the influence of waste composition, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and pre-treatment on biogas production and effluent quality.
Main Methods:
- Assessed operational data from an 18-month co-digestion trial.
- Utilized a BTA-Pulper for waste pre-treatment and volatile solids conversion.
- Monitored biogas production, volatile solids reduction, effluent quality, and energy output.
Main Results:
- Seasonal fluctuations in OFMSW composition significantly affected biogas production.
- Reduced HRT from 14 to 8 days improved gas production rate (GPR) despite decreased VS degradation.
- An activated sludge system effectively treated effluent, producing nutrient-rich compost with low pollutants.
- The facility generated surplus electrical power (up to 290 MJ/t) and substituted primary energy.
Conclusions:
- Co-digestion of OFMSW is feasible, but seasonal variations necessitate careful operational adjustments.
- Optimizing HRT is crucial for maximizing biogas production efficiency.
- The facility demonstrates a viable pathway for sustainable waste management and energy recovery.