Comparison of Single-Stage and Two-Stage Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of SS-OFMSW During the Start-Up Phase

S. Ghanimeh, D. Al-Sanioura, P. E. Saikaly, M. El-Fadel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: The accumulation of volatile fatty acids during the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable substrate such as Source Sorted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (SS-OFMSW) is associated with an inhibitory effect on methane producing biochemical pathways. While inconclusive at times, the usage of two-stage digesters has been argued as a potential solution for this issue. In this study single-stage versus two-stage thermophilic digesters, fed with SS-OFMSW, were examined during the startup phase while increasing the loading rate from 0.5 to ~ 2 g VS L−1 d−1. While both systems exhibited a stable performance, with neutral pH and low intermediate-to-partial alkalinity, the two-stage digester exhibited better effluent quality with 79 and 57% lower average total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and soluble COD (SCOD), respectively. Also, upon reaching steady-state conditions, the two-stage system showed a superior performance with an overall methane content of 54%, compared to an average of 45% in the single-stage system. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)6709-6716
Number of pages8
JournalWaste and Biomass Valorization
Volume11
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Single-stage versus two-stage
  • SS-OFMSW
  • Thermophilic anaerobic digestion

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