| The anaerobic biodegradability of food waste (FW), meat waste and FOG (fats,oils and greases) with municipal primary sewage sludge was assessed using a laboratory scale anaerobic digester and by ultimate sludge digestibility, at mesophilic conditions by varying the inoculum to feedstock ratio (1:2-1:10) and solids retention time (SRT). Preliminary analysis assessed the anaerobic digestion of food waste and meat at a biogas production over 30 days at1000 mL and1400 mL, respectively. The maximum methane yield was 0.18 m3 /kg VS and 0.50 m3/kg VS for 1:10 in meat and FOG, respectively in 28 days with 56-61% volatile solids of destruction and first order methane generation rate of 0.15 d-1 for both meat and FOG. The optimal ratio for meat and FOG was determined to be beyond highest ratio tested (1:10), and longer SRT should be considered to investigate the impact of feedstock on methane yield. Preliminary modeling suggests that for one 1.74 MG digester, diverting just 0.6% of the food waste generated in one-third of Palm Beach County could produce enough methane to power 130-360 homes for one full month. |
