Enhanced bio-methane production from co-digestion of different organic wastes

Abstract

This paper deals with an experimental study aimed at assessing the effect of mixing different organic wastes on the anaerobic digestion process. Livestock manure and organic solid wastes have been taken into account as substrates to verify if their mixing gives rise to higher methane production rates and lower risk of process failure. Bio-methane potential (BMP) tests have been conducted using the following substrates: buffalo manure (BM), poultry manure (PM), organic fraction of the municipal solid waste (OFMSW), greengrocery waste (GW) and two different mixtures composed of BM and OFMSW. Mixing BM with OFMSW resulted in 12% and 30% higher methane volumes after 30 and 15 days from the test start, respectively. Experimental data have been also used to calibrate and validate a mathematical model previously proposed by the authors, showing its capability to reproduce the synergistic effect on methane production promoted by co-digesting BM and OFSMW.

Keywords:

• co-digestion
• methane production
• anaerobic digestion
• livestock manure
• OFMSW

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Italian Ministry of Research and University in the framework of the National Research Project Advanced Treatments for Organic Waste Reuse and Energy Recovery, funded in 2006, and the Research Project Energy Saving with Valorisation of the Secondary Energy Sources as Distributed Energy Sources, funded in 2007. This research is also in the framework of the project: Integrated system to treat buffalo slurry, aimed to recover water and safe energy – STABULUM, funded, in agreement with the Decision of the European Commission No C(2010) 1261, 2nd March 2010, by the Agriculture Department of the Campania Region in the context of the Programme of Rural Development 2007–2013, Measure 124 Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sectors.