Comparing two enhancing methods for improving kitchen waste anaerobic digestion: bentonite addition and autoclaved de-oiling pretreatment

The effects of different enhancement methods, including adding bentonite (1.25%, w/w, wet substrate) and autoclaved de-oiling pretreatment (121 °C, 30 minutes), on the anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste (KW) were comparably studied. Mesophilic continuous stirred tank reactors were used under different organic loading rates (OLRs) of 1.11 to 1.84 gVS (volatile solid)L−1d−1 and two different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (20 d and 25 d). In this study, two enhancement methods and extending HRT could prevent volatile fatty acids (VFA) accumulation and obtain a high methane production at low OLR. Owing to the effect of providing nutrients and buffering capacity, the maximum methane yield was obtained with adding bentonite at OLR of 1.39 gVSL−1d−1. However, for high OLR (1.84 gVSL−1d−1), a decrease of the methane yield and system breakdown occurred due to the accumulation of VFAs. Engineering design and process evaluation of a CSTR biogas plant treating with KW based on the laboratory experiment was stated.