title: Start-up of anaerobic digestion of source-sorted organic municipal solid waste in the absence of classical inocula.
abstract: This study investigates the start-up and operation of bench-scale anaerobic digesters treating the source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste in the absence of mesophilic inocula. The experimental program consisted of starting up a digester with two consecutive interventions implemented to approach steady state. While start-up was relatively slow, re-inoculation with cattle manure together with effluent dilution reduced the acclimation period and achieved better stability and effectiveness, accommodating a feeding rate at an OLR = 2.03 kg total volatile solids (TVS) m(-3) day(-1) and an equivalent hydraulic retention time (HRT)=148 days. The latter highlights the long duration that should be taken into consideration in the design and start-up of anaerobic digestion systems for municipal solid waste, in countries where this system is not established, before reaching optimal steady-state conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rania
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maroun
authors.forename: Mutasem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Fadel
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D002417:Cattle; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D008372:Manure; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012722:Sewage
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D008372:Manure; D012722:Sewage; D000641:Ammonia; D008697:Methane