Solid-state refuse methanogenic fermentation: control and promotion by water addition

The efficacy of single water additions to promote the solid‐state refuse methanogenic fermentation was examined with laboratory batch cultures. Initially, acidogenesis increased with increasing water addition although product inhibition was also apparent, particularly in low moisture content samples. With refuse columns, a moisture content increase from 55 to 75% (w/w) effected a 2.4‐fold increase in the total volume of methane evolved during a 95‐day incubation period although reduced evolution was apparent at the elevated moisture content of 80% (w/w). In general, the methane content of the evolved gases increased in response to increased water addition.