A new approach to the kinetic study of anaerobic degradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Abstract

The kinetic models proposed by Monod, Chen and Hashimoto and Singh as well as those of a first order and diffusional type have been tested for fit as mathematical descriptions to describe substrate utilization during anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of source sorted municipal solid waste. A new model, described as step diffusional, is proposed and the results obtained with it are compared with those obtained using previously published models. The new model is found to show a better fit to the experimental result than those obtained with other models. The new model takes into account simple qualitative and quantitative chemical characteristics of the substrate to be digested. Although this new model is more complex than some others since it involves four kinetic constants, conceptually it is simple enough to find practical applications.