Adaptation of batch experiment data to the design of anaerobic continuous digesters

Abstract

The design of a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce biogas required an investigation of the kinetic parameters of the substrate relevant to the determination of reactor dimensions. The determination of these parameters is usually complicated with an experimental CSTR set-up. Therefore, it is preferred to use a batch-scale experimentation to determine the parameters. However, because of the differences between the batch and continuous processing, the batch experimentation parameters cannot be directly applied to the design of the CSTR. Some previous researchers had made a comparative evaluation of the batch and continuous processing systems, and developed a procedure for adapting batch experimentation data to the design of continuous reactors. In this study, laboratory scale batch digesters were used to determine the kinetic parameters of MSW, with  the said procedure, they were adapted to the design of a CSTR for the digestion of MSW in the production of biogas. This paper presents a successful application of batch experimentation data on MSW to the design of a CSTR for MSW in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria.