Biogas Capture from Solid Waste

Among the most vexing of environmental problem being faced by the world is that of solid waste, of which a major component is biodegradable solid waste (BSW). When left to rot in the open, or when disposed in sanitary landfills, BSW undergoes anaerobic digestion leading to generation of methane. It translates to lost energy but also to global warming. This realization, and the failure of other methods, such as incineration and composting, to handle BSW without generating newer problems of pollution, has focused global attention towards the use of anaerobic digestion to treat BSW with concomitant generation of energy in the form of biogas.But whereas a number of processes have been developed, principally in Europe, to treat large quantities of BSW, and increasingly larger quantities of BSW are being treated by anaerobic digestion all over the world, a number of technological problems still remain to be solved before the processes can become profitable. The present chapter discusses all these aspects and issues alongside presenting latest information on the penetration of anaerobic digestion-based processes in BSW treatment.