title: Improving the stability of thermophilic anaerobic digesters treating SS-OFMSW through enrichment with compost and leachate seeds.
abstract: This paper examines the potential of improving the stability of thermophilic anaerobic digestion of source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SS-OFMSW) by adding leachate and compost during inoculation. For this purpose, two stable thermophilic digesters, A (control) and B (with added leachate and compost), were subjected to a sustained substrate shock by doubling the organic loading rate for one week. Feeding was suspended then gradually resumed to reach the pre-shock loading rate (2 gVS/l/d). Digester A failed, exhibiting excessive increase in acetate and a corresponding decrease in pH and methane generation, and lower COD and solids removal efficiencies. In contrast, digester B was able to restore its functionality with 90% recovery of pre-shock methane generation rate at stable pH, lower hydrogen levels, and reduced VFAs and ammonia accumulation.
authors: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Sophia
authors: S
authors: Ghanimeh
authors: Mutasem
authors: M
authors: El-Fadel
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Saikaly
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008697:Methane