Macroscopic temporal studies on the effect of waste plastic materials on anaerobic digestion of raw vegetable market wastes: experiment and modelling

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation of the human society has resulted in increasing quantities of municipal solid wastes (MSW). One significant component of MSW is waste plastics (WP). Most of those WP are non-biodegradable and impermeable in nature. It is generally advised that these WP should be retrieved and separated before the landfill operation. This includes an additional cost of operation. To date, no suitable technique or model has been developed to control the waste treatment in presence of WP. The present article illustrates the macroscopic temporal studies of raw vegetable wastes (RVW) digestion with and without WP under strict anaerobic conditions. The simultaneous changes of the selective controlling parameters were critically studied and explained using Ehrig’s equation for the theoretical estimation of biogas. Current investigation explains clearly the restricted downward leachate movement on holding in the void spaces physically created by the WP in the waste bed (WB). The experimental leachate samples were tested, verified and compared to establish an empirical model.