Biodegradable municipal solid waste: biotreatment options

The context under which the UK Government plans to divert biodegradable municipal solid waste from landfill is described and the role that bioprocessing may play is presented. The concepts developed from different types of anaerobic processes and the differing possible process configurations are considered. The most commonly used options are then appraised on the basis of technical engineering operation and microbiological functionality. Some practical examples of system types are given, although these are not based on case studies. The long history of waste composting (aerobic bioprocessing) has meant that there are a large number of process systems on offer. The fundamentals behind the different types of process are considered, focusing on their overall aim of achieving sanitisation and stabilisation. The interrelationships between the key factors of particle size, aeration, nutrients and moisture content are considered together with how each of the generic systems seeks to manage them.