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Anaerobic digestion of processed municipal solid waste using a novel high solids reactor: Maximum solids levels and mixing requirements

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Summary

Novel, laboratory-scale, high solids reactors operated under mesophilic conditions were used to study the anaerobic fermentation of processed municipal solid waste (MSW) to methane. The anaerobic digestion consortium was introduced to high solids levels through gradual adaptation. The maximum sludge solids level for stable anaerobic fermentation performance was identified as approximately 36% wt/wt. Recovery of the anaerobic consortium, following dilution of inhibitory high solids levels, was swift. Reactor mixing requirements were also studied. No significant difference in fermentation performance was observed between agitator speeds of 1 and 25 rpm. Preliminary fermentation performance tests showed that solids loading rates as high as 9.5 g VS (volatile solids) feed/L sludge.d, at 32% solids within the reactor, were possible. Under these conditions, operation was stable with an average pH of 7.8–8.0, total volatile fatty acid pools of <20 mM, and a biogas composition of 55%–60% methane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Biological Sciences Section, Biotechnology Research Branch Solar Fuels Research Division, Solar Energy Research Institute, 80401, Golden, Colorado

    Christopher J. Rivard, Michael E. Himmel, Todd B. Vinzant, William S. Adney, Charles E. Wyman & Karel Grohmann

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  1. Christopher J. Rivard
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  2. Michael E. Himmel
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  3. Todd B. Vinzant
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  4. William S. Adney
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  5. Charles E. Wyman
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  6. Karel Grohmann
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Rivard, C.J., Himmel, M.E., Vinzant, T.B. et al. Anaerobic digestion of processed municipal solid waste using a novel high solids reactor: Maximum solids levels and mixing requirements. Biotechnol Lett 12, 235–240 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01026806

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