Abstract
The basic processes and technologies of composting and anaerobic digestion, as described in the previous chapters, are
usually used for specific or source-separated organic waste flows. However, in the 1990s mechanical biological waste
treatment technologies (MBT) were developed for unsorted or residual waste (after some recyclables removed at the
source). The concept was originally to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, but MBT technologies are today also
seen as plants recovering fuel as well as material fractions. As the name suggests the technology combines mechanical
treatment technologies (screens, sieves, magnets, etc.) with biological technologies (composting, anaerobic digestion).
Two main technologies are available: Mechanical biological pretreatment (MBP), which first removes an RDF fraction
and then biologically treats the remaining waste before most of it is landfilled, and mechanical biological stabilization
(MBS), which first composts the waste for drying prior to extraction of a large RDF fraction. Only a small fraction is
landfilled. The latter technology is also referred to as biodrying. Within each of the two main technologies, a range of
variations is available depending on waste received and routing of the RDF fraction.
This chapter offers an introduction to the two technologies. Box 9.7.1 shows the types of MBT plants found in
Germany.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Solid Waste Technology and Management |
| Volume | Volume 2. Chapter 9.7 |
| Place of Publication | Chichester, West Sussex, UK |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Publication date | 2011 |
| Pages | 628-638 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-405-17517-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |