Design of a Bioreactor for Aerobic Biodegradation of Biowaste Based on Insight into Its Composition and Estimated Process Parameters

Abstract

Biowaste, which often accounts for more than 50% of municipal waste, is an environmental problem if disposed of improperly in landfills but has great potential to achieve the recycling targets set out in Directive (EU) 2018/851. Despite the knowledge in theory and practice about the processing of biowaste and the benefits of recycling, there is a lack of methodological approaches in describing the process of aerobic biodegradation in a concise and suitable way for decision makers, environmental engineers, and project designers. This paper presents how basic data on the properties of biowaste can be used, using theoretical models, to determine basic indicators of the dynamics and material balance of the process. The maximum rate of CO2 generation on the 4th day was Rm = 45.3 g/d, with the potential of available, readily biodegradable components of the biowaste sample of P = 526 g CO2/kg VS. A substrate conversion of 51.7% was achieved in the bioreactor by the 17th day of treatment. The results of this analysis, together with future analyses of sensitivity and boundary conditions of the process, are useful for rapidly sizing a biological treatment system for municipal solid waste in a given area.