Title: The mathematical modelling of biomethane production and the growth of methanogenic bacteria in batch reactor systems fed with organic municipal solid waste

Authors: Liliana Alzate-Gaviria, Antonino Perez-Hernandez, Hector M. Poggi-Varaldo, P.J. Sebastian

Addresses: Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan A.C. (CICY), Unidad de materials, Calle 43 # 130 Colonia Chuburna de Hidalgo, C.P. 97200 Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. ' Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados, S.C. (CIMAV), Simulacion Computacional de Materiales y Procesos, Miguel de Cervantes # 120 Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, C.P. 31109, Chihuahua, Mexico. ' CINVESTAV-IPN, Departamento de Biotecnologia y Bioingenieria, Grupo de Biotecnologia Ambiental y Procesos Anaerobios, Av. Instituto Politecnico Nacional, 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, Mexico, D.F.. ' Centro de Investigacion en Energia-UNAM, Ciencia de Materiales y Energias renovables, Privada Xochicalco S/N, C.P. 62580, Temixco, Morelos, Mexico

Abstract: A mathematical model was developed and validated for an anaerobic digestion system of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes (OFMSWs) by using a laboratory-scale system of two Packed Bed Reactors (PBRs). The equations were obtained by the mass balances of methanogenic bacteria of affluent and effluent lixiviated, as well as the interior in each reactor. The methane rate was obtained by multiplying the methanogenic activity. A differential equation was fitted with experimental results to obtain the parameters that best describe methanogenic behaviour. These kinetic parameters were used with the modified logistic equation with the special case n = 1.

Keywords: mathematical modelling; biomethane production; methanogenic bacteria; batch reactor systems; organic municipal solid waste; anaerobic digestion; organic fraction of municipal solid wastes; OFMSW; methane rate; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2009.029220

International Journal of Global Warming, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.493 - 507

Published online: 10 Nov 2009 *

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