Abstract
The process combines aerobic composting with anaerobic digestion in a sequencing batch reactor. A laboratory-scale DiCOM® reactor, fed with mechanically sorted municipal solid waste (C:N 18:1; TVS 56%), demonstrated a seamless transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism with methane being produced within 4 hours of the establishment of anaerobic conditions. Average methane production during the anaerobic phase was 18.2L/day/kg of TVS. An electron balance highlighted that of the total solid degraded (41% of TVS) the anaerobic phase of the process accounted for approximately one third (34%). The compost produced was found to be stable (self-heating test) and mature (root elongation test and humic/fulvic acid ratio).