High-rate anaerobic composting with biogas recovery

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · BioCycle; (United States)

OSTI ID:6270183

DeBaere, L; Verstraete, W

In Belgium a novel high rate anaerobic composting process with biogas has been developed as an alternative to aerobic systems, producing a commercial dry compost and 60 to 95 cubic metres methane per ton of municipal solid waste. This is a high value energy source simultaneously yielding a stabilized end product. The process was developed so that digestion could take place at 25 to 35% total solids, thus reducing the amount of water needed to dilute the waste, decreasing the digestor volume and cutting transportation costs. The end product is odorless and stable. High rate anaerobic composting of MSW can be combined with sewage sludge stabilization. Manure, vegetable or fruit wastes can be co-treated in certain proportions as required. About 15 to 20% of the energy produced is transformed into electricity and heat and consumed as the waste disposal plant itself. 120 to 140 US $ worth of methane gas and compost can be produced per cubic metre of reactor per year, making anaerobic composting economically attractive.

• Research Organization: ACEC Co., Gent, Belgium
• OSTI ID: 6270183
• Journal Information: BioCycle; (United States), Journal Name: BioCycle; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN BCYCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BELGIUM
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
COMPOST
DIGESTION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
HEAT
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
METHANE
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ON-SITE POWER GENERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
POWER GENERATION
PROCESS HEAT
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES
WESTERN EUROPE