MBT Organic Waste Treatment: Lessons Learnt

Treating organic wastes using a combination of mechanical biological treatment (MBT) and anaerobic digestion (AD) is an established process in Europe. In 2010 the UK was considered under resourced with respect to its per capita AD capacity, suggesting a significant prospect for plants in the UK. The ratio of plants then treating municipal solid waste (MSW) compared to biowaste, has changed in the past 10-15 years from favouring biowaste plants to plants treating residual MSW (rMSW). Contractors need to be aware of the parameters that impact on the performance of an MBT AD plant. To identify the key parameters, a review of available information on plant operational performance was undertaken using a wide range of sources. Operational parameters for AD processes are well-documented and provide key process design factors when designing a plant. Consolidation of the information obtained was assessed and a list of problems/solutions compiled that could be reviewed when considering a potential EPC contract. The 2010 list of identified problems has been compared to the current literature discussing the operational performance of MBT AD plants, to see if the issues have been resolved, continue to be a problem, or new issues have arisen.