Two-phase continuous anaerobic digestion of fruit and vegetable wastes

Abstract

Results of a two-phase mesophilic (35°C) anaerobic digestion treatment of fruit and vegetable wastes, carried out at laboratory scale, are presented and discussed. They are contrasted with other results obtained with a similar waste, but digested in a one-phase system. The yields are lower in this simple two-phase system, because of the higher organic loading rate. It is concluded that this two-phase system does not seem appropriate to treat these wastes unless it is equipped with some type of control of the hydrolytic step. A one-phase system is simpler and can yield at least the same yields. © 1995.