Assessment of the anaerobic biodegradation potential of MSW

A series of laboratory tests was performed to characterise the anaerobic biodegradation potential of a fresh well-characterised sample of municipal solid waste (MSW). This characterisation included measurement of the quality and quantity of biogas produced, determination of the loss of cellulose and hemicellulose (as indicated by measurements of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF)) and assessment of various leachate chemical characteristics at key phases during the biodegradation process. Twelve 1-litre high-density polyethylene reactors were filled with 100 g of prepared MSW together with a methanogenic mineral media and a bacterial seed derived from an anaerobic digester. Two other reactors, containing no MSW, were used as blanks. Relationships between the chemical composition of the waste and the capacity for predicting the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of fresh waste are discussed. The methane recovery is presented and discussed in the context of the theoretical yield expected from these reactors and from larger consolidating anaerobic reactors (CARs) used in a parallel study.