Anaerobic digestion of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) in two-phase system

Abstract

In view of recovering energy resource from the treatment of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW), anaerobic digestion of OFMSW prior to aerobic composting as post-treatment was considered. This study aimed to determine the operational characteristics and efficiency of a two-phase system composed of a fed-batch hydrolysis reactor (phase I) and a methanogenic Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor (phase II). The effluent of the UASB reactor was recycled to the phase I reactor to avoid high levels of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs), which may inhibit methanogenesis and hydrolysis of solids.