anaerobic digestion of solid waste 1 dorothee spuhler, seecon gmbh

Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste


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Dorothee Spuhler, seecon gmbh


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Contents

1. Concept

2. How can Digestion of Green Waste optimise SSWM

3. Design Principals

4. Examples of Applications

5. Applicability

6. Pros’ and Con’s

7. References



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Background

Anaerobic digestion is a natural process which occurs when organic material is kept in the absence of air. Thereby, the organic material is transformed into biogas, a renewable and green energy.

In developed countries, this process has been evolved over the past twenty years, resulting in more and more complex large-scale biogas plants including heating and multiple stage processes.

So far, several million conventional biogas plants, using predominantly animal manure as feedstock, have been successfully installed in rural areas of developing countries. (VOEGELI &

ZURBRUEGG 2008)

Anaerobic digestion, as a controlled and voluntary process for the reduction and reuse of green wastes has a large potential to give answer to the soaring crisis of increasing municipal solid wastes for instance in urban and peri-urban areas of the developing world. (VOEGELI & ZURBRUEGG 2008)

1. Concept



Anaerobic Digestion takes place in airtight reactors.

The organic fraction of the wastes is transformed into a mixture of CH4, CO2 and some trace gases (biogas).

The produced biogas can be used either directly for cooking, heating or lightening .

It can also be transformed into combined heat and power (CHP) in cogeneration plants .

Biogas can also be compressed and sold as fuel (e.g. for vehicles), much like natural gas.

With time the reactors fill up and digested sludge (sludge which organic fraction was already converted to biogas) accumulates in the bottom.

Nutrients remain in the sludge is a well-balanced fertiliser and can be used in agriculture as a rich soil amendment.

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Anaerobic Digestion of Green Waste (1/2)

1. Concept



Anaerobic Digestion of Green Waste

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1. Concept

D. SPUHLER (2010), Pictures from: www.kristianstad.se/; http://www.newseedadvisors.com/2009/09/10/invest/; http://www.hydroharrys.com/hydroharrys_about_fertilizer.php; http://www.mytinyplot.co.uk/advice/the-art-of-composting/

www.clker.com [Accessed: 02.06.2010]

Green Waste

Coocking

Lightning

Electricity

Fuel

Biogas

Heating

FertiliserAgricultur

e



Anaerobic Digestion of Green Waste: Small-scale

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1. Concept

Biogas

Soil amendement

Food

Energy

D. SPUHLER (2010). Pictures from: //gardening.ygoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/how-to-plant-a-decorative-vegetable-garden0.jpg; http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about436.html; http://www.clker.com/ [Accessed: 06.06.2010]



Anaerobic Digestion of Green Waste: Large-scale

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1. Concept

Source: HOLLIGER (2008)



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1. Concept

Co-digestion of waste and

manure

Food production at farms

Re-use of nutrients

Re-use of energy

The example of Kristianstad (Sweden)

Green waste from

households and industries



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What is Green Waste?

1. Concept

Kitchen refuses

http://www.mytinyplot.co.uk/advice/the-art-of-composting/ [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

http://www.ceroi.net/reports/dushanbe/eng/waste.htm [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Organic fraction of municipal waste

http://www.agro-resources.com/uploads/images/chocolate%20waste.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]Refuses from the

food industry

http://www.titech.com/assets/x/50186?width=82 [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Some industrial wastes

http://www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Page/images/green-waste-grass.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Garden refuses

Waste from agriculture

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/images/2009-04/organic-waste.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Market waste

http://www.ducorwaste.org/images/Rally_Time_Stockpike.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Green waste is any kind refused material which is biodegradable and has a high fraction of organic matter, which can be transformed into biogas.Someexamples…



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What is Biogas ?

Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide.

The properties of biogas are similar to the ones of natural gas.

Biogas is the common name for the mixture of gases released from anaerobic digestion.

Typically biogas is composed of:

Methane is the valuable part of the biogas. Biogas that contains about 60 to 70 % of CH4 has a calorific value of about 6 kWh/m3 what corresponds to about half an L of diesel oil. (ISAT/GTZ

1999, Vol. I)

1. Concept

Sources: YADAV & HESSE (1981); FAO (1996); PIPOLI (2005); GTZ (2009

Methane (CH4) 50 to 75 %Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 25 to 50 %Hydrogen (H) 5 to 10 %Nitrogen (N2) 1 to 2 %Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) Traces

Source: MUENCH (2008)



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What is Anaerobic Digeastion ? (1/2)Degradation of organic material by bacteria. In the absence of air (anaerobic). Four stages:•Hydrolisis

◦ Cleavage of a chemical compound through the reaction with water.◦ Insoluble complex molecules are bracken down to short sugars, fatty acids

and amino acids.•Fermentation (Acidogenesis)

◦ Products from hydrolysis are transformed into organic acids, alcohols, carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H) and ammonia (NH3).

•Acetogenesis

◦ Organic acids and alcohols are converted into hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and acetic acid (CH3COOH). Therefore, oxygen is consumed and anaerobic conditions are created

•Methanogenesis◦ Methanogenic bacteria (methanogenesis), transform the acetic acid, carbon

dioxide and hydrogen into biogas.

1. Concept



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What is Anaerobic Digestion ? (2/2)

1. Concept

D. SPUHLER (2010)



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What is a anaerobic digester ?

1. Airtight chamber, filled with green waste

2. Anaerobic digestion takes place

3. Sludge settles on the bottom

4. Gas bubbles to the top where it is collected

Reaction temperature is > 35 to 55 °C: mesophilic or thermophilic range

Either continuous or in batch mode:•Batch: filled and left for digestion; After the hydraulic retention time

(HRT) emptied and filled again for a new cycle•Continuously-stirred tank reactor (CSTR): continuous in/out flow and

mixing•Plug-flow reactor: the sludge moves through the reactor much like a

train to a tunnel, with a velocity corresponding to the minimal HRT

The liquid phase can be re-circulated to maintain optimal moisture conditions

1. Concept

Source: HOLLIGER

(2008)



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Examples: Small-scale digesters

1. Concept

http://colli239.fts.educ.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/biotech2007cc.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

Source: F. HEEB

http://images01.olx.in/ui/4/96/20/67509620_1-Install-biotech-portable-biogas-plants-and-convert-food-waste-to-biogas-Vazhuthacaud.jpg [Accessed: 04.06.2010]

http://www.open2.net/blogs/media/blogs/Biogas_plant_Kerala.jpg

Household floating-

drum digesters

Portable reactors form the

Indian NGO BIOTECH



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Examples: Large-scale digesters

1. Concept

http://www.klima-sucht-schutz.de/mitmachen/klima-quiz/lexikon.html []Accessed: 04.06.2010

Source: BRUYN (2006)





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Examples: Biogas Appliances

1. Concept

Chang Mai

M. WAFLER

Mini biogas generator

Large combined heat and

power (CHP)

Cogeneration plant

Biogas boiler

Biogas lamp

Biogas cooking stove

http://www.power.alstom.com/home/new_plants/steam/products/steam_turbines/references/_files/file_40796_97389.jpg



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2. How the Digestion of Green Waste optimises SSWM

Digested sludge can substitute chemical

fertiliser and enhance food production

Green Waste

Coocking

Lightning

Electricity

Fuel

Biogas

Heating

FertiliserAgricultur

e

Sustainable development:

• Improved health• Improved economy

Anaerobic digestion is a promising answer to the soaring crises of

municipal waste explosion and thus

prevent the pollution of water sources and the

evnvironment

Biogas is an renewable energy and has the potential to replace other fuel sources.

Biogas contributes to prevent and lower greenhouse gas

emission.



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Basics: Process Parameters

The biogas yield depends on the process and the substrate.Substrate: •High COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) = High potential of biogas generationProcess: Anaerobic digestion = Biological system of bacteriaOptimal conditions required that bacteria feel wealthy…•Temperature

◦ Performance◦ Retention time

•pH◦ Wide range, but methanogenesis requires neutrality (6.5-7.5)◦ Multistage process for better pH and temperature control

•Total solid (TS) and moisture◦ Wet digestion (TS < 20 %): easier to maintain, good fluidity◦ Dry digestion (TS > 20 %): sophisticated but safes space

3. Design Principals



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The ARTI compact biogas plant

Developed in 2003

ARTI = Appropriate Rural Technology Institute

2000 plants currently used in Maharashtra, India (WRAPAI 2009)

Some have been constructed in Tanzania (VOEGELI & LOHRI 2009)

Floating-drum design:•2 conventional polyethylene tanks (0.75 and 1 m3). (MUELLER 2007)

•Standard plumber piping.•The smaller tank is the gasholder and the larger holds the mixture of decomposing feedstock and water•Inlet and an overflow•Overflow liquid is mixed with the feedstock and back recycled into the plant to maintain optimal moisture condition. (MUELLER 2007)

•A pipe takes the biogas to a collection balloon or directly to the kitchen.


Source: HEEB (2009)

Source: VOEGELI & LOHRI (2009)



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The BIOTECH Plant (1/2)

BIOTECH is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in Kerala, South India. (MUELLER 2007)

Domestic plants: 1 m3 for a 3 to 5 member-family meets about 50 % of cooking needs. (MUELLER 2007)

Decentralised treatment of market waste, municipal solid waste or slaughterhouse waste: Biogas used for public street lightning and distributed into households


Source: HEEB (2009)

Source: HEEB (2009)

Source: HEEB (2009)



Source: HEEB (2009)

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The BIOTECH Plant (2/2)

Schematic plan of a BIOTECH market level plant. a) Inlet tank for feedstock. b) Digester tank. c) Effluent tank. d) Effluent storage tank. e) Effluent pump. f) Gasholder drum. The drum is stabilized by a guide pole in the middle and is floating in a water jacket outside the digester. g) Biogas pipe. h) Gas Scrubber. i) Biogas generator j) Drainage connection for excess effluent. (HEEB 2009)


• Conventional floating-drum reactor• Liquids are mixed with incoming feedstock and re-circulated • A baffle in the middle increases solids retention



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The KOMPOGAS Plant

Thermophilic dry digestion process developed in Switzerland

Organic wastes come from municipalities with source separation or from food industry

Horizontal plug-flow reactors

Propellers move the sludge trough the reactor and keep particles in suspension. (OSTREM

2004)

Retention time is 20 days. (MES et

al. 2003)


Biogas is transformed in a CHP unit providing 100 % of the facility needs as well as additional electricity for sale. In some cases, the biogas is upgraded to natural gas standards for use in vehicles or input to the natural gas network. (OSTREM 2004)

Both liquid and solid effluents are commercialised fertilisers



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Large-scale Plant in Thailand for Municipal Waste (1/2)

In Thailand, where the development of alternative sources is critical to energy sustainability as the government has set 2011 as the target date for 80 % of the nation’s total energy, representing an estimated 1,900 MW, to be generated from renewable energy sources. (MUELLER 2007)

This has given large rise to various large-scale biogas projects.

The Rayong Municipality has constructed plant for the treatment of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste (MSW) with a capacity of 60 tons of waste per day.

Two systems:•Digesters: converts waste to biogas and fertilizer •A biogas-fired cogeneration process (CHP)


MUELLER (2007)

MUELLER (2007)



Process: Wet fed-batch high-solids digestion Feedstock: Organic MSW and refuses from the food industry.Capacity: 60 tons per dayOutput: 5800 tons organic fertilizer and electricity of about 5 million kWh. (MUELLER 2007)

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Large-scale Plant in Thailand for Municipal Waste (1/2)


Sourc

E:

MU

ELL

ER

(2

00

7)



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Anaerobic digestion can transform almost any biodegradable waste into biogas (e.g. green waste).

The anaerobic treatment of organic solid waste is applicable everywhere where there is a need for biogas and waste treatment and the technical conditions allow the installation of a plant.

Small-scale (biogas generation for cooking and lightening) – low-cost and relatively low-tech:

• Household-level

• Community-level

• Institutional-level

Large-scale – high-tech, requires expert design:

• Industrial plant connected to the public power and heat grid.

Low-tech (un-heated plants), however, are only adapted to areas where temperature does not fall short of for any substantial length of time.

5. Applicability



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6. Pros’ and Cons’

Advantages:• Generation of biogas and

fertilizer (almost complete retention of the fertiliser nutrients (N, P and K)

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through methane recovery

• Combined treatment of different organic waste and wastewaters

• Reduction of solids to be handled (e.g. less excess sludge)

• Good pathogen removal depending on temperature

• Process stability (high-loads can be treated but anaerobic sludge can also be preserved for prolonged periods without any feeding)

Disadvantages:• Small- and middle-scale

anaerobic technology for the treatment of solid waste in middle- and low-income countries is still relatively new

• Experts are required for the design and construction, depending on scale may also for operation and maintenance

• Reuse of produced energy (e.g. transformation into, fire/light, heat and power) needs to be established

• High sensitivity of methanogenic bacteria to a large number of chemical compounds

• Sulphurous compounds can lead to odour



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7. ReferencesBRUYN, J. de, HOUSE, H., RODENBURG, J. (2006): Ontario Large Herd Operators European Anaerobic Digestion Tour Report. Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands August 21 to 29, 2006. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

FAO (1996): Biogas Technology - A Training Manual for Extension. Consolidated Management Services Nepal (P) Ltd. and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Available at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/ae897e/ae897e00.HTM [Accessed: 19.04.2010]

GTZ (2009): Biogas sanitation for black water or brown water, or excreta treatment and reuse in developing countries. Draft Version.(=Technology review). Eschborn: German Agency for Technical Cooperation GmbH (GTZ) and Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) Available at: http://www.gtz.de/en/themen/umwelt-infrastruktur/wasser/9397.htm [Accessed: 11.03.2010]

HEEB, F. (2009): Decentralised anaerobic digestion of market waste. Case study in Thiruvananthapuram, India. Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). Available at: http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/publikationen/publications_swm/downloads_swm/ad_market_waste.pdf [Accessed: 27.04.2010]

HOLLIGER, C. (2008): Microbiologie et Biotechnologie Environnementale. Enseignements au 2iE. Swiss Federal Institute of Technologies (EPFL)

ISAT/GTZ (1999): Biogas Basics. (=Biogas Digest, Volume I). Information and Advisory Services on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) and German Agency for Technical Cooperation GmbH (GTZ). Available at: http://www2.gtz.de/dokumente/bib/04-5364.pdf [Accessed: 19.04.2010]

MES, T.Z.D. de, STAMS, A.J.M, REITH, J.H., ZEEMAN, G. (2003): Chapter 4. Methane production by anaerobic digestion of wastewater and solid wastes. In: REITH, J.H., WIJFFELS, R.H., BARTEN, H.(Eds.) (2003): Biomethane and Biohydrogen. Status and perspectives of biological methane and hydrogen production. Dutch Biological Hydrogen Foundation and the Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment (Novem). Available at: http://gasunie.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/FILES/root/2003/3339875/3339875.pdf [Accessed: 25.04.2010]

MUELLER, C. (2007): Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Solid Waste in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC) http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/publikationen/publications_swm/downloads_swm/Anaerobic_Digestion_high_resolution.pdf [Accessed: 27.04.2010]

MUENCH, E. (2008): Overview of anaerobic treatment options for sustainable sanitation systems. In: BGR Symposium „Coupling Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater Protection“ 14 – 17 Oct 2008, Hannover, Germany. Eschborn: German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH Available at: http://www.gtz.de/en/dokumente/en-bgr-conference-biogas-ecosan-muench-2008.pdf [Accessed: 23.04.2010]

OSTREM, K. (2004): Greening Waste: Anaerobic Digestion for treating the organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes. Master theis. Colombia: The Fu Foundation of School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University

PIPOLI, T. (2005): Feasibility of Biomass-based Fuel Cells for Manned Space Exploration. In: Proceedings of the Seventh Eurpean Space Power Conference, Stresa, Italy. 9 to 13 May 2005. VOEGELI & LOHRI 2009)

VOEGELI, Y., ZURBRUEGG, C. (2008) Biogas in cities - A New Trend?. In: Sandec News, Vol. 9/2008. Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG)

WRAPAI (2009): Document 8, Data Management Document, Appendix S 06 - Energy Research. Australia: Waste Refinery Australia Project Association Incorporated (WRAPAI) Available at: http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~nwk/wrapai/wr_se8_app_s06_energy.pdf [Accessed: 03.05.2010]

YADAVA, L. S., HESSE, P. R. (1981): The Development and Use of Biogas Technology in Rural Areas of Asia (A Status Report 1981). Improving Soil Fertility through Organic Recycling. (=Project Field Document No. 10.). Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNEP)

Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste 29

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