Technical aspects of upgrading composting to anaerobic digestion and post-composting

Abstract

The present article analyses the advantages of converting direct composting of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste into a plant with an initial step of anaerobic digestion, Clear advantages come from the energy balance thanks to the role of biogas. Important advantages are also the reduction of surface required for treating the same amount of waste and the positive role of the anaerobic digester for the management of odorigenous compounds. In terms of timing, anaerobic digestion allows decreasing the time spent for the treatment. The saving of surface can be completed by the adoption of a biotrickling filter to replace conventional biofiltration.