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Dry Anaerobic Digestion of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste: Biogas Production Optimization by Reducing Ammonia Inhibition

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  • Elena Rossi

    (Department of Energy, Systems Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, Via C.F. Gabba 22, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Isabella Pecorini

    (Department of Energy, Systems Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, Via C.F. Gabba 22, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Giovanni Ferrara

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Renato Iannelli

    (Department of Energy, Systems Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, Via C.F. Gabba 22, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to optimize biogas production from thermophilic dry anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by comparing various operational strategies to reduce ammonia inhibition. A pilot-scale plug flow reactor (PFR) operated semi-continuously for 170 days. Three scenarios with different feedstock, namely solely OFMSW, OFMSW supplemented with structural material, and OFMSW altered to have an optimal carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, were tested. Specific biogas production (SGP), specific methane production (SMP), the biogas production rate (GPR), and bioenergy recovery were evaluated to assess the process performance. In addition, process stability was monitored to highlight process problems, and digestate was characterized for utilization as fertilizer. The OFMSW and the structural material revealed an unbalanced content of C and N. The ammonia concentration decreased when the optimal C/N ratio was tested and was reduced by 72% if compared with feeding solely OFMSW. In such conditions, optimal biogas production was obtained, operating with an organic loading rate (OLR) equal to 12.7 gVS/(L d). In particular, the SGP result was 361.27 ± 30.52 NLbiogas/kgVS, the GPR was 5.11 NLbiogas/(Lr d), and the potential energy recovery was 8.21 ± 0.9 MJ/kgVS. Nevertheless, the digestate showed an accumulation of heavy metals and low aerobic stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Rossi & Isabella Pecorini & Giovanni Ferrara & Renato Iannelli, 2022. "Dry Anaerobic Digestion of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste: Biogas Production Optimization by Reducing Ammonia Inhibition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5515-:d:875621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Baldi, F. & Pecorini, I. & Iannelli, R., 2019. "Comparison of single-stage and two-stage anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge for hydrogen and methane production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1755-1765.
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    2. Alessandro A. Carmona-Martínez & Carmen Bartolomé & Clara A. Jarauta-Córdoba, 2023. "The Role of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Gases in the Decarbonization Pathway to Zero Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-3, August.
    3. Alessio Castagnoli & Serena Falcioni & Eleftherios Touloupakis & Francesco Pasciucco & Erika Pasciucco & Alessandro Michelotti & Renato Iannelli & Isabella Pecorini, 2024. "Influence of Aeration Rate on Uncoupled Fed Mixed Microbial Cultures for Polyhydroxybutyrate Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Luis G. Cortés & J. Barbancho & D. F. Larios & J. D. Marin-Batista & A. F. Mohedano & C. Portilla & M. A. de la Rubia, 2022. "Full-Scale Digesters: An Online Model Parameter Identification Strategy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    5. Luis G. Cortés & J. Barbancho & D. F. Larios & J. D. Marin-Batista & A. F. Mohedano & C. Portilla & M. A. de la Rubia, 2022. "Full-Scale Digesters: Model Predictive Control with Online Kinetic Parameter Identification Strategy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-23, November.

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