Biostabilization of municipal solid waste

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Waste Management
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment requires efficient processes to minimize environmental impact.
• Mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) offers a promising approach for MSW management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a one-year mechanical-biological treatment process for municipal solid waste (MSW).
• To assess the biological stability and environmental impact of the treated waste.

Main Methods:

• Mechanical pre-treatment to separate MSW into oversize and undersize fractions.
• Aerobic biological treatment of the undersize fraction with co-substrates.
• Assessment of biological stability using Dynamic Respiration Index (DRI), self-heating tests, and biogas potential.

Main Results:

• Oversize fraction (60%) suitable for refuse-derived fuel production due to low moisture and high calorific value.
• Undersize fraction (40%) biologically treated to achieve stabilized products within three weeks.
• Mean DRI of 1164 mg O2 kg SV(-1) h(-1), meeting regional and European standards.
• Significant reduction in landfill waste, with only 25% requiring disposal.

Conclusions:

• The MBT process effectively stabilizes MSW, reducing the volume of waste for landfilling.
• The process yields a refuse-derived fuel fraction and stabilized compostable material.
• While DRI is a key indicator, other methods have analytical limitations for full waste impact assessment.