Impact of digestate addition on the biostabilization of undersized fraction from municipal solid waste

Mateusz Malinowski; Stanisław Famielec; Katarzyna Wolny-Koładka; Jakub Sikora; Maciej Gliniak; Dariusz Baran; Zygmunt Sobol; Jacek Salamon

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145375

Impact of digestate addition on the biostabilization of undersized fraction from municipal solid waste

Sci Total Environ. 2021 May 20:770:145375. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145375. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Authors

Mateusz Malinowski¹, Stanisław Famielec², Katarzyna Wolny-Koładka³, Jakub Sikora², Maciej Gliniak², Dariusz Baran⁴, Zygmunt Sobol⁴, Jacek Salamon²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioprocesses Engineering, Energetics and Automatization, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka Street 116b, 30-149 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: mateusz.malinowski@urk.edu.pl.
² Department of Bioprocesses Engineering, Energetics and Automatization, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka Street 116b, 30-149 Krakow, Poland.
³ Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicz Ave 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
⁴ Department of Machinery Management, Ergonomics and Production Processes, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka Street 116b, 30-149 Krakow, Poland.

PMID: 33736420
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145375

Abstract

Biostabilization is a commonly applied method in mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plants to process municipal solid waste. In many ways, e.g. by applying additives to waste, MBT plant operators strive to enhance the effectiveness of biostabilization, which leads to reducing the time and energy outlays necessary for the process, as well as to minimizing the amount of final stabilized waste directed to landfills. This paper deals with the impact of digestate waste from agricultural biogas plants used as additive to the biostabilization process of undersized fraction from municipal solid waste (UFMSW) on the intensive phase of the process and properties of stabilized waste. The aim of this study was to assess whether, and if so to what extent, the application of digestate waste affects the process. Five different input compositions were tested (without digestate and with the addition of digestate at: 2.5; 5; 7.5 and 10 wt%). Waste treatment time was 2 weeks. Changes in moisture content, organic matter (OM), respiration activity (AT4), bulk density, air-filled porosity, heavy metal content, pH, carbon to nitrogen ratio, as well as composition of process gases emitted were evaluated. Additionally, microorganisms (including pathogens) inhabiting the processed waste in the aspect of waste sanitation were analyzed. It was found that the addition of digestate at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt% extended the duration of the thermophilic phase and decreased the CO₂ content in process gases. The addition of digestate at 2.5 wt% and 5 wt%, decreased also OM by approx. 25% of the initial value and AT4 by approx. 30%. It was also proved that the addition of digestate favors the limited sanitation of UFMSW. As a result of the research, it was found that the addition of digestate at 2.5 wt% and 5 wt% is sufficient to accelerate the aerobic biological degradation of UFMSW.

Keywords: Aerobic microorganisms; Digestate; Intensive phase of biostabilization; Mechanical-biological treatment; Municipal solid waste.

MeSH terms

Anaerobiosis
Biofuels
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Nitrogen / analysis
Refuse Disposal*
Solid Waste
Waste Disposal Facilities

Substances

Biofuels
Metals, Heavy
Solid Waste
Nitrogen