Assessing MSW degradation by BMP and fibre analysis Available to Purchase

Samples of fresh and partly composted municipal solid waste (MSW) were placed in 11 reactors under conditions designed to promote rapid anaerobic degradation of the available organic fraction. The solids composition, leachate volatile fatty acids (VFA) content, pH and residual gas yields (CO₂ and CH₄) were measured at the beginning and at various stages of degradation through the sacrifice of reactors at various times. The degree of decomposition was quantified by the biogas yield (a procedure commonly referred to as the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test) and further characterised through the ratio of cellulose (C) plus hemicellulose (H) to lignin (L) of the remaining non-degraded material measured using a novel fibre analysis method. The consistency of the fibre measurements enabled a quantitative relationship to be established between biogas yields and measured (C + H)/L ratios at different stages of biodegradation for the partly degraded refuse. Fibre analysis of a mechanically pre-treated waste (from which the mass of C, H and L and consequently the (C + H)/L ratio can be determined) provides a useful indication of the degradation potential and has an obvious application in demonstrating diversion of the degradable fraction from landfill following biological treatment processes.