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Feasibility assessment of thermophilic anaerobic digestion process of food waste

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  • 2nd 3R International Scientific Conference (2nd 3RINCs 2015)
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Abstract

In this study, a lab-scale thermophilic anaerobic digestion of food waste collected from G-district in Seoul was performed to assess its feasibility and applicability in field-scale biogas plants. Monitoring parameters included biogas production, methane composition, pH, alkalinity, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Accumulation of VFA caused successive depression in pH, which inhibited microbial activity of methane-forming microorganisms. Signals of biological instability and inhibition of methanogenesis suggest possible process failure, as indicated by reduction in methane production. Results revealed that modifications in certain conditions, such as decreased organic loading rate (OLR) or additional insertion of alkalinity, must be made for its application in industrial-scale biogas plants, and that thermophilic anaerobic digestion of food waste may not be feasible without any modification.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Korea Ministry of Environment as “Climate Change Correspondence R&D Program” and “Waste to Energy-recycling Human Resource Development Project.” We also appreciate the technical assistance of Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea

    Joonrae Roger Kim & Jae Young Kim

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  1. Joonrae Roger Kim
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  2. Jae Young Kim
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Correspondence to Jae Young Kim.

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Kim, J.R., Kim, J.Y. Feasibility assessment of thermophilic anaerobic digestion process of food waste. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 18, 413–418 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-015-0458-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-015-0458-8

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