Anaerobic Digestion (Organic Waste)

Published on SSWM (http://www.sswm.info/)

Anaerobic Digestion (Organic

Waste)
Compiled by: Dorothee Spuhler (seecon
international gmbh)

Anaerobic biogas digesters are airtight reactors in which organic

waste is decomposed and transformed into biogas by a biological
process called anaerobic digestion. Biogas is recovered and
transformed into heat or any other form of energy. The
remaining sludge contains many nutrients and can be used in
agriculture (optionally after an aerobic post-composting). Mainly
in industrialized countries, this technology has been evolved over the past centuries, resulting in various
designs of different complexities. Facing the problem of municipal waste disposal and soaring fuel
prices, low-tech set-ups, particularly adapted for developing countries have been developed today.

In Out
Organic Solid Waste, Excreta, Faeces, Faecal Sludge Biogas, Compost/Biosolids, Fertigation Water

Biogas reactors are gastight chambers in which organic wastes are degraded and converted into biogas by
microorganism in absence of air via a process called anaerobic digestion. The process lasts over a couple
of weeks up to several months. Biogas is recovered and used either directly for cooking and lighting (at
household level) or it is transformed into heat in a gas heater system or into combined heat and power
(CHP) in cogeneration plants, thereby replacing other fuel sources (MES et al. 2003; JENSSEN et al. 2004;
WRAPAI 2009). See also the factsheets about the conversion of biogas to electricity at small or large
scale or the direct use of biogas factsheet. It can also be upgraded to natural gas quality, compressed
and used to power motor vehicles. Nutrients remain in the sludge, which can be composted and used as
soil amendment in agriculture. Liquid effluents are either treated and rejected, or reused in fertigation.

Anaerobic digestion as a means to produce green energy and fertiliser. Source: ANAEROBIC DIGESTION (2010)
Overall scheme of the high-tech anaerobic treatment of municipal solid waste. Source: HOLLIGER (2008)

Anaerobic digestion is an established technology for the treatment of animal manure or wastewater (MES
et al. 2003). In many industrialised countries, the conversion of municipal organic waste has become
increasingly popular in recent years as a sustainable technology producing green energy. Consequently,
various high-tech designs of different scales have evolved. In developing countries, many biogas support
programmes have focused on rural families using animal manure and human faeces as feedstock in order
to reduce the use of firewood by providing people with biogas, improve soil fertility and reduce indoor
air pollution (VOEGELI & ZRUBRUEGG 2008). Today, facing the soaring challenge of municipal solid waste
management in most urban areas in low and middle-income countries, anaerobic digestion is considered
a promising option also for treatment of solid waste management in developing countries as well
(www.eawag.ch; VOEGELI & ZURBRUEGG 2008; VOEGELI & LOHRI 2009).This factsheet presents the
basic principals of anaerobic digestion as a treatment of solid waste and illustrates some of the many
different technologies available today.

Process and Design Principles

All biogas digesters are basically designed following the same process of anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic
digestion is a four-stage process consisting of hydrolysis; fermentation (conversion of non-soluble organic
biomass to soluble organic compounds); acidification (e conversion of soluble organic compounds to
volatile fatty acids and CO2, followed by the conversion of volatile fatty acids to acetate and H2); and
finally methane formation. The final product, biogas, is a mixture of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide
(CO2) and other trace gases (see also anaerobic digestion, general factsheet).

The anaerobic digestion of organic waste. Source: HOLLIGER (2008)

There are many ways in which anaerobic digestion can occur. The simplest reactors are covered waste
dumps, where anaerobic digestion can occur naturally in uncontrolled systems. As mentioned above,
today there is a large range of different types and designs of anaerobic digester technologies for the
treatment of organic waste available. Even though the process for all these technologies is always the
same (i.e. anaerobic digestion), depending on the composition of the substrate and the volume of the
waste stream, complexity of design, construction and operation vary strongly.
Example of a Reactor set-up for the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste. Source: HOLLIGER (2008)

The main differences regarding the design of these technologies exist regarding the biogas potential of
the substrate; dry and wet processes; mesophilic and thermophilic processes; mechanically mixed and
no-mixed reactors, batch and continuous reactors and one-stage or multi-stage processes etc. In the
following, a short overview on all these parameters is given (refer toanaerobic treatment, general
factsheet).

Some reference values of biogas production potential of different substrates are given in the table
below. The table also illustrates the potential of petrol equivalents saved. Conventional digesters apply
a wet digestion process (total solids (TS) below 20%). Wet digestion has the advantage to provide good
fluidity of the slurries and optimal contact of the microorganism and the waste. The new technology, dry
digestion (TS > 20 %), allows high gas yields using less space, but the process has only recently been
developed and is applied only at high-tech level. Mesophilic digestion is generally more stable even
though gas yields are lower. Thermophilic processes produce more biogas in shorter time but require
input energy and bear the risk of the production of toxic ammonia(ISAT/GTZ 1999 Vol. I). Batch systems
are the lowest-tech of all systems and also the cheapest (VANDEVIVERE et al. 2002). Their major
drawbacks are a large footprint and a lower biogas yield due to the impairment of the percolation
process via channelling and clogging (VANDEVIVERE et al. 2002). Batch systems have a high potential for
application in developing countries. Multi-stage processes separate the different stages of anaerobic
digestion in order to achieve optimal growth conditions for the microorganism and to allow the heating
of the methanogenic stage only (reducing required energy inputs). However, multi-stage systems are the
most complex, and most expensive, of all systems biogas systems for solid waste (VANDEVIVERE et al.
2002).Low-tech small scale wet digesters generally do not provide any mechanical mixing as the gas
bubbles rising through the sludge to the top of the reactor provide sufficient mixing. Large-scale, and in
particular dry digestion processes require the installation of a mechanical stirring (or transporting device
in the case of plug-flow reactors).

Methane per ton (t) dry waste Tons of petrol equivalents per ton of dry waste
(m3/t) (t/t)
Food waste 500 0.43
Paper 330 0.28
Grass 310 0.26
Branches and
110 0.09
leaves

Energetic potential of municipal solid waste (MSW). Source: HOLLIGER (2008)

Most anaerobic digesters for the treatment of organic solid waste provide a post treatment of the
remaining sludge before it can be reused as soil amendment in agriculture. Aerobic composting, the
post-treatment used most often, allows both nitrification and the degradation of lignin, which is not
possible under anaerobic conditions (HOLLIGER 2008).

Below, some examples of small-scale and large-scale anaerobic digesters for the treatment of organic
solid wastes are given.
The ARTI Compact Biogas Plant

The ARTI household digester in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Left) and a similar model from BIOTECH. Source: VOEGELI & LOHRI
(2009) and HEEB (2009)

ARTI stands for Appropriate Rural Technology Institute, which has developed the ARTI compact biogas
plant in 2003 for the treatment of organic waste at the household level (1 to 2 Kg of food waste per
day). The plant is sufficiently compact to be used also by urban households. Approximately 2000 such
plants are currently in use in Maharashtra, India, in both urban and rural households (WRAPAI 2009). In
Africa, only few ARTI biogas plants have been installed so far (Tanzania, VOEGELI & LOHRI 2009;
VOEGELI et al. 2009).

ARTI compact biogas plants are based on a simple and low-cost floating-drum design applying a wet
digestion process. The plants are made from conventional polythene water tanks (two tanks, with
volumes of typically 0.75 m3and 1 m3, MUELLER 2007) and standard plumber piping. The smaller tank is
the gasholder and is inverted over the larger one, which holds the mixture of decomposing feedstock and
water (LOHRI 2009). An inlet is provided for adding feedstock, and an overflow for removing the digested
residue. The overflow liquid can be mixed with the feedstock and recycled back into the plant to
maintain optimal moisture condition for a wet digestion process (MUELLER 2007). A pipe takes the biogas
to a collection balloon or directly to the kitchen.

The BIOTECH Plants

Institutional level BIOTECH plant (left) and market level BIOTECH plant (right). Source: HEEB (2009)

The BIOTECH Roadshow. Source: F. HEEB (2009)

BIOTECH is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in Kerala, South India
(MUELLER 2007). BIOTECH has been developing and installing biogas plants that generate biogas from
domestic biodegradable waste like cooked food waste, vegetable waste and waste water from kitchen (1
m3 for a 3 to 5 member family meets about 50 % of cooking needs, MUELLER 2007) (see picture above).
BIOTECH has also developed reactors for the decentralised anaerobic digestion of organic market waste
or municipal solid or slaughterhouse waste. The electricity generated from the decentralized plants for
market wastes is used for street lightning and distributed to households.

Schematic plan of a BIOTECH market level plant. The sketch is not drawn to scale, but the proportions have been considered as
far as possible. 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 Source: HEEB (2009)

As the ARTIs, the BIOTECH market level plants are based on a floating-drum design including a
recirculation loop to optimise moisture content (HEEB 2009). The feedstock (often market wastes) is put
in the inlet tank from where it is flushed into the main digester tank for anaerobic digestion (3 m
diameter and 3 m depth, HEEB 2009). To increase the retention time for solids, there is a baffle in the
middle of the tank and orthogonal to the flow direction. The baffle holds back unsuspended solid
compounds of the waste, whereas liquids can easily flow over (much like septic tanks or biogas digesters,
see also factsheet(see also small scale digesters or biogas settlers). This leads to an increased retention
time for unsuspended solids and therefore to an improved decomposition of this compounds. The
digested liquor (digestate) flows into the effluent tank from where a pump, run with electricity of the
produced biogas, transports it up into an overhead storage tank. From the tank, the digestate is then
used to flush the feedstock from the inlet tank into the digester tank avoiding the need of fresh water
for flushing (HEEB 2009).

The KOMPOGAS Compact

Schematic description of the Kompogas high-solid dry plug-flow anaerobic reactor treating municipal organic waste. Source:
OSTREM (2004)
KOMPOGAS is a high-solid thermophilic dry digestion process developed in Switzerland(see also
anaerobic treatment of waste and wastewaters). It is a compact plant consisting of a horizontal
functioning as plug-flow reactor (PFR). The reactors are fed regularly, mostly every day. Most of the
feedstock for KOMPOGAS plants comes from municipalities that support source-separated collection of
organic wastes or from the food industry. Before the waste is filled into the reactor, ferrous and plastic
materials are removed, it is mixed, and it is sent through a grinder (OSTREM 2004). Slowly rotating
intermittent propellers push the waste through the digester, having also the effect of homogenising and
degasing the pulp and of keeping heavier particles in suspension (OSTREM 2004). The retention time is of
approximately 20 days (MES et al. 2003). The digested material is then dewatered; some of the press
water is being recirculated to the reactor to provide an inoculum and to maintain optimal moisture
conditions. The excess liquid is sold as liquid fertiliser. The solid fraction is composted (3 to 4 weeks)
and sold as soil amendment. The produced biogas is generally 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). Due to the
mechanical requirements of the system, the size of the reactors is limited. To enhance capacity an
additional reactors need to be installed in parallel (OSTREM 2004).

Large-Scale Wet Digestion of Municipal Organic Waste

Digester and gas storage at the Rayong Municipality Cogeneration plant, Thailand. Source: MUELLER (2007)

In Thailand, the development of alternative energy sources is critical, as the government has set 2011 as
the target date for 8% of the nations total energy reduction (MUELLER 2007). This has given large rise to
various large-scale biogas projects. The Rayong Municipality has constructed a wet fed-batch high-solids
plant for the treatment of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste.
The plant is comprised of two systems; a process that converts waste to biogas and fertiliser and a
biogas-fired cogeneration process (CHP). Additional to the organic solid waste from the municipality, the
Rayong plant uses food, vegetables and fruit wastes and night soil as waste materials. The plant has a
capacity to handle 60 tons of waste per day turning out into an output of 5800 tons organic fertiliser and
electricity of about 5 million kWh (MUELLER 2007).

Applicability
The anaerobic treatment of organic solid waste is particularly adapted where there is a need for a
renewable energy, be it at small, institutional (e.g. market) or municipal (large-scale) level. Many types
of large-scale reactors exist, in particular high-tech models in industrialized countries. These plants have
been largely improved and generally function well, producing more electricity than they require.
However, for large-scale high-tech plants, planning, construction, operation and maintenance require a
large team of well-skilled experts.
In recent years, small- and institutional-scale organic solid waste digesters have been developed and are
continuously improved also in developing countries. Such plants also need expert design and a good
understanding of the process, operation and maintenance. However, they can be constructed at
relatively low-cost with locally available material in both urban and rural areas.
As every anaerobic digestion process, these plants require relatively high process temperature. Large-
scale and complex installations are generally heated. Although small-scale digesters can be heated using
their proper biogas, the low-tech designs are generally restricted to tropical and sub-tropical areas.
 Advantages
Generation of biogas and fertiliser (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

References
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(FAO/TCP/NEP/4451-T) . Consolidated Management Services Nepal (P) Ltd. and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
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MANG, H.-P.; LI, Z. (2010): Technology Review of Biogas Sanitation. (= Technology Review ). Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft fr
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. URL [Accessed: 17.06.2013]. PDF

HEEB, F. (2009): Decentralised anaerobic digestion of market waste. Case study in Thiruvananthapuram, India. Duebendorf: Swiss
Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). URL [Accessed: 27.04.2010]. PDF

HOLLIGER, C. (2008): Microbiologie et Biotechnologie Environnementale. Enseignements au 2iE. Lausanne: Swiss Federal Institute
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ISAT (Editor); GTZ (Editor) (1999): Biogas Basics. (= Biogas Digest, 1). Information and Advisory Services on Appropriate Technology
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JENSSEN, P.D.; GREATOREX, J.M.; WARNER, W. S. (Editor) (2004): Sustainable Wastewater Management in Urban Areas. (= Kapitel
4. Kurs WH33, Konzeptionen dezentralisierter Abwasserreinigung und Stoffstrommanagement). Hannover: University of Hannover.
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LOHRI (2009): Research on Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste at Household Level in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (= Bachelor
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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) . URL [Accessed:
05.08.2010]. PDF

MUENCH, E. (2008): Overview of anaerobic treatment options for sustainable sanitation systems. In: BGR Symposium "Coupling
Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater Protection". URL [Accessed: 23.04.2010]. PDF

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

VANDEVIVERE, P.; BAERE, L. de (2002): Types of anaerobic digesters for solid wastes. In: MATA-ALVAREZ, J. (Editor) (1999):
Biomethanization of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes. London, 336 - 367. URL [Accessed: 30.05.2010]. PDF

VOEGELI, Y.; LOHRI, C. (2009): Renewable Energy from Kitchen Waste. In: Sandec News 10. URL [Accessed: 05.05.2010]. PDF

VOEGELI, Y.; ZURBRUEGG, C. (2008): Decentralised Anaerobic Digestion of Kitchen and Market Waste in Developing Countries -
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Venice, Italy; 17-20 November 2008. URL [Accessed: 05.05.2010]. PDF
VOEGELI, Y.; LOHRI, C.; KASSENGA, G.; BAIER, U.; ZURBRUEGG, C. (2009): Technical and biological Performance of the ARTI
Compact Biogas Plant for Kitchen Waste - Case Study from Tanzania. In: Proceedings Sardinia 2009, Twelfth International Waste
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WERNER, U. ; STOEHR, U.; HEES., N. (1989): Biogas Plants in Animal Husbandry. German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE)
and German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH . PDF

WRAPAI (Editor) (2009): Document 8, Data Management Document, Appendix S 06 - Energy Research. Australia: Waste Refinery
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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. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Development
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For further readings, case studies, awareness raising material, training material, important weblinks
or the related powerpoint presentation, see www.sswm.info/category/implementation-
tools/wastewater-treatment/hardware/solid-waste/anaerobic-digestion-organic-