Laboratory scale experimentation for RBCOD production from OFMSW for BNR systems: Results and kinetics

In this paper results of a laboratory-scale experimentation on anaerobic fermentation of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) are presented. The aim of the experimentation was the evaluation of the production of readily biodegradable COD to be used in biological nutrient removal (BNR) plants. A 3.51 glass reactor was built and the process was run under mesophilic conditions (32 degreesC) without pH control. A batch test and five runs at different hydraulic retention times were performed, at 1.5, 3. 4, 5. and 6 days, respectively. An intermittent step-feed strategy was adopted. The feeding material came from the selective collection of municipal solid wastes, and was shredded and diluted with tap water. The kinetics of the hydrolytic process has been characterised by two parameters. The kinetic model has been related to the hydraulic retention time and can be used for design purposes.