Performance of a percolation reactor integrated to solid-state anaerobic garage-type digesters with leachate recirculation for organic fraction of municipal solid waste treatment

Abstract

Solid-state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) systems have been used for the sustainable treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Unlike previous reports considering lab-scale SSAD systems as a unique system, the present study aims to deeper evaluate only the complementary percolation reactor (PR) integrated into the first semi-industrial scale SSAD system in Latin America. An innovative methodology was developed based on the probability function analysis of the monitoring data with target values reported in the literature and a linear correlation matrix to address the relation between different operating parameters. The results indicate that under a maximum organic loading rate of 1.9 kg VS.m−3.d−1, PR achieved a VS removal efficiency of 56 %, producing a highly stabilized inoculum (VS/TS ratio of 0.43). A maximum methane yield of 0.06 m3 CH4.kg VS−1removed and biogas CH4 content up to 76.5 % were reached during the long-term operation of 730 days.