Resource recovery potential from secondary components of segregated municipal solid wastes

Abstract

Fermentable components of municipal solid wastes (MSW) such as fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW), leaf litter, paddy straw, cane bagasse, cane trash and paper are generated in large quantities at various pockets of the city. These form potential feedstocks for decentralized biogas plants to be operated in the vicinity. We characterized the fermentation potential of six of the above MSW fractions for their suitability to be converted to biogas and anaerobic compost using the solid-state stratified bed (SSB) process in a laboratory study. FVW and leaf litter (paper mulberry leaves) decomposed almost completely while paddy straw, sugarcane trash, sugarcane bagasse and photocopying paper decomposed to a lower extent. In the SSB process between 50-60% of the biological methane potential (BMP) could be realized. Observations revealed that the SSB process needs to be adapted differently for each of the feedstocks to obtain a higher gas recovery. Bagasse produced the largest fraction of anaerobic compost (fermentation residue) and has the potential for reuse in many ways.

The anaerobic digestion of solid organic waste

“…Anaerobic digestion of organic waste in landfills releases the gases methane and carbon dioxide that escape into the atmosphere and pollute the environment (Zhu et al, 2009). Under controlled conditions the same process has the potential to provide useful products such as biofuel and organic amendment (soil conditioner) and the treatment system does not require an oxygen supply (Chanakya et al, 2007;Guermoud et al, 2009). Further, methane and hydrogen as potential fuels are considered comparatively cleaner than fossil fuel.…”

Assessment of Methane Production Features and Kinetics from Poultry Dropping Waste under Mesophilic Conditions

“…Various new reactors have been designed and implemented in recent years (Ji et al, 2017) (Veluchamy et al, 2019), and a solid-state stratified bed (SSB) reactor (Chanakya et al, 2007). All of these have been used to treat organic waste.…”

Solid Waste Management in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India: Insights from a Survey of Literature

“…Ayub et al (2014) says that in order to effectively plan for waste management in India, it is important to evaluate the characteristics and volume of solid waste as well as forecast future waste generation. The adequate storage of waste in integrated waste management planning at remote locations in rural and urban areas is critical for efficient energy recovery from waste utilization (Chanakya, Ramachandra and Vijayachamundeeswari, 2007). Also, for an efficient and cost-effective collecting system, the number of transfer stations and their ideal location is essential (Bosompem, Stemn and Fei-Baffoe, 2016).…”