title: Effect of initial bulk density on high-solids anaerobic digestion of MSW: General mechanism.
abstract: Initial bulk density (IBD) is an important variable in anaerobic digestion since it defines and optimizes the treatment capacity of a system. This study reveals the mechanism on how IBD might affect anaerobic digestion of waste. Four different IBD values: D1(500-700kgm-3), D2(900-1000kgm-3), D3(1100-1200kgm-3) and D4(1200-1400kgm-3) were set and tested over a period of 90days in simulated landfill reactors. The main variables affected by the IBD are the methane generation, saturation degree, extraction of organic matter, and the total population of methanogens. The study identified that IBD >1000kgm-3may have significant effect on methane generation, either prolonging the lag time or completely inhibiting the process. This study provides a new understanding of the anaerobic digestion process in saturated high-solids systems.
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Caicedo
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. Electronic address: luwenjing@tsinghua.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Djavan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Clercq
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Yanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Sai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D019149:Bioreactors; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004063:Digestion; D019605:Euryarchaeota; D008697:Methane; D012037:Refuse Disposal
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008697:Methane
keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Cumulative methane generation; Initial bulk density; Mechanism; Saturation