BIOMETHANIZATION OF THE ORGANIC FRACTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES

This book is intended to be an introduction to the fundamentals and the more practical aspects of the anaerobic digestion of organic solids wastes, particularly those derived from households; that is, the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW). The book covers the most relevant aspects of anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic solid wastes. Chapter 1 very briefly reviews the microbial and environmental aspects affecting AD process. Chapter 2 emphasises the role of kinetics in designing the reactor. Chapter 3 describes some methods for analysis and optimisation of reactor performance to be carried out in laboratory, such as methanogenic activity tests or experimental evaluation of the biodegradation kinetics of solid organic wastes. Chapter 4 offers a perspective of the evolution of research and application of AD to the treatment of OFMSW. Chapter 5 deals with the different reaction patterns applied to industrial reactors; in particular, the aspects related to the simpler, small-scale batch-reactors compared with the usual high-capacity continuous reactors. In chapter 6, practical methods to follow up the digestion process are given, and guidelines are offered for assessing the correct performance of the digester. Chapter 7 presents a review of co-digestion process, giving some examples, always having OFMSW as a base substrate. In chapter 8, various types of pre-treatment (mechanical, biological, physico-chemical) for increasing biodegradability and thus the yield of the process are reviewed in detail. Chapter 9 deals with the use of fermentation products of anaerobic digesters for biological nutrient removal processes in wastewater treatment plants. Chapter 10 focuses on the important topic of economics and ecological advantages of the process. Lastly, chapter 11 gives a deep review on the anaerobic digestion of MSW in landfills.