ABSTRACT

Anaerobic digestion, a process which has been used extensively for stabilizing agricultural, domestic and industrial wastes (e.g. manure, sewage sludge, rum slops), currently is emerging as viable treatment technology for municipal solid waste (MSW). Studies conducted both in the USA and Europe have demonstrated that MSW-based mixtures ranging in moisture content from 5 to 35% can successfully be utilized as an anaerobic digestion feedstock. During the digestion process, organic carbon in the MSW is converted to a gaseous fuel (methane). Other economic and environmental benefits are realized as a result of the bulk reduction (40-60% volatile solids destruction) of the feed in the reactor.