4.8 Article

Improving the stability of thermophilic anaerobic digesters treating SS-OFMSW through enrichment with compost and leachate seeds

Journal

BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Volume 131, Issue -, Pages 53-59

Publisher

ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.12.127

Keywords

Thermophilic anaerobic digestion; Stability; Shock-load; Non-acclimated seed

Funding

  1. National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon
  2. Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources at the American University of Beirut

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This paper examines the potential of improving the stability of thermophilic anaerobic digestion of source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SS-OFMSW) by adding leachate and compost during inoculation. For this purpose, two stable thermophilic digesters, A (control) and B (with added leachate and compost), were subjected to a sustained substrate shock by doubling the organic loading rate for one week. Feeding was suspended then gradually resumed to reach the pre-shock loading rate (2 gVS/I/d). Digester A failed, exhibiting excessive increase in acetate and a corresponding decrease in pH and methane generation, and lower COD and solids removal efficiencies. In contrast, digester B was able to restore its functionality with 90% recovery of pre-shock methane generation rate at stable pH, lower hydrogen levels, and reduced VFAs and ammonia accumulation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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