Anaerobic Digestion Technology Options for the Treatment of Municipal Biodegradable Waste

摘要

Engineered anaerobic digestion (AD) systems have been used for many years to treat wastewater and sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants, and industrial and agricultural activities. The application of AD to municipal biodegradable waste (MBW) is relatively new and full-scale plants have been built only in the last 10 years or so. In the UK, until recently, the use of AD has been inhibited by negative perceptions, mostly relating to technology reliability as well as cost considerations. However, education, together with research and development work being carried out in this country, are gradually changing this situation, allowing AD to be seen as a viable option for the management of MBW. This article presents an overview of AD technology options from the perspective of MBW management, and briefly discusses issues pertinent to that technology.