Biochemical Methane Potential of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Components

Abstract

The biochemical methane potential of several MSW fractions was determined in order to compare extents and rates of their conversion to methane. Based on MSW samples analyzed, the methane yield of MSW was estimated to be as high as 0.20 m3 kg−1 VS added, which indicates that more than 50% of the VS in MSW can be destroyed in anaerobic processing. Yard waste fractions of MSW can be expected to exhibit a high variability in yields due to the variety of plant materials which can be included. While some yard waste components, such as grass, exhibited yields as high as 0.21 m3 kg−1 VS, yields for mixed yard waste were much lower, in the range of 0.14 m kg−1. The make-up of the paper fraction can strongly affect the methane yields of MSW due to variations in methane yields of different paper classes. Bleached kraft papers, regardless of coating, exhibited maximum methane yields of 0.37 m3 kg−1 VS, indicating complete conversion. Unbleached kraft paper found in corrugated box-board exhibited a yield of 0.28 m3 kg−1 VS, while newsprint exhibited yields as low as 0.08 m3 kg−1 VS. Inks used in newsprint did not lower methane yields over unprinted newsprint. The paper used in food packaging was highly biodegradable and its degradation was not affected by polymer coatings when samples were finely ground. These results provide a data base on extent and rates of the major biodegradable organic components of MSW and should be considered when contemplating anaerobic bioconversion of MSW.

Fungal Pretreatment of Willow Sawdust with Abortiporus biennis for Anaerobic Digestion: Impact of an External Nitrogen Source

“…BMP experiments were carried out in duplicate at 35 • C in serum bottles of 160 mL, according to the modified protocol of Owen and Chynoweth [19] as described in Alexandropoulou et al [6]. Anaerobic sludge from the anaerobic digester of the Metamorphosis, Athens wastewater treatment plant, operating at steady state at an hydraulic retention time of 15 day, was used as inoculum.…”

“…The content of the vials was gassed with a mixture of N 2 /CO 2 (80/20) in order to secure anaerobic conditions. The vials were sealed with butyl rubber stoppers and aluminum crimps and total biogas, as well as methane production were monitored as a function of time via a syringe, according to Owen and Chynoweth [19].…”

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) of solid organic substrates: evaluation of anaerobic biodegradability using data from an international interlaboratory study

“…1,3,25,31,32 Gelatine The value of B o−ThOD for this proteinaceous substrate calculated from the elemental composition was 433 mLCH 4 g −1 VS. The B o−Exp values reported at the end of assays were varied, ranging from 124 ± 3mLCH 4 g −1 VS added to 480 ± 19 mLCH 4 g −1 VS added , with an average value of 300 ± 110 mLCH 4 g −1 VS added .…”

Enhanced Methane Production from Pilot-Scale Anaerobic Digester Loaded with Rice Straw

“…Biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays were also conducted for the seed mixture (i.e. piggery wastewater and paper mill sludge) in mesophilic conditions to determine if the fraction of methane production coming from the wastewater was significant [24].…”