KB Compost Services, Inc. * 2677 Riverview Road * Akron, Ohio * 44313 * Voice: 330-864-2621 * Fax: 330-864-7023
Anaerobic digestion is the breakdown of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen producing biogas, a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide & trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia & hydrogen gas. Anaerobic digesters have been around for a long time, & they are commonly used for sewage treatment & for managing animal waste. Increasing environmental pressures on waste disposal has increased the use of digestion as a process for reducing waste volumes & generating useful byproducts. It is a fairly simple process that can greatly reduce the amount of organic matter which might otherwise end up in landfills or waste incinerators. Materials such as waste paper, grass clippings, leftover food, sewage, & animal waste can be digested. After sorting or screening to remove inorganic or hazardous materials such as metals & plastics, the material to be processed is often shredded or minced to achieve a better reaction. Breaking the material into smaller pieces provides the bacteria with more surface area, allowing them to complete the process quicker. The material is then fed into a sealed tank called a digester. In the case of dry materials, water is added.
Anaerobic Digestion