Biological Conversion of Organic Refuse to Methane.

摘要

Urban solid wastes contain significant quantities of energy that can be reclaimed. Biological conversion of the organic refuse to methane by anaerobic fermentation is one mechanism by which this energy can be reclaimed. This report contains the results of an investigation of refuse fermentation at a thermophilic operating temperature of 60C. Results of dewatering of the fermentor residue by vacuum filtration is presented. Results of pretreatment of the refuse by a hot-caustic process are presented. Treatment requirements for the centrate-filtrate produced by dewatering of the residue are presented. A mathematical simulator of the fermentation process,vacuum filtration process,shredding and separation process and residue disposal processes has been constructed. Results from the simulator runs are presented.