Co‐composting for managing effluent from thermophilic anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste

Abstract

Anaerobic effluent from thermophilic digestion (55°C) of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was ultimately treated through a co‐composting process. OFMSW sorted by an industrial plant was used as bulking agent mixed to the digested effluent in the co‐composting experiment. Compost detoxification of the anaerobic effluent was carried out in a static windrow aerated by blowing air in it. The bio‐oxidative post‐treatment technology adopted allowed the anaerobic effluent mixed with the OFMSW to overcome phytotoxicity and to reach maturity for a possible use as organic amendant in agriculture. Short term composting (5 weeks) proved also to act efficiently in drying and hygienizing the initial waste biomass.