Treatment of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste in Bioelectrochemical Systems: A Review

Abstract

The review discusses the transformation of waste to energy (WTE) through bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) treating organic waste, which makes up 47% of the total municipal solid waste generated. Emphasis is given to the intermediate step—use of a leach bed reactor—to successfully convert WTE by explaining the constructional elements and factors affecting the hydrolysis of organic waste. As hydrolysis is a rate-limiting step of anaerobic digestion (AD), operating parameters controlling solubilization of the readily degradable compounds are essential to obtain a volatile fatty acid and nutrient-rich leachate. The leachate treatment in BESs such as a microbial fuel cell, a microbial electrolysis cell, and a microbial desalination cell, along with factors that will affect the performance of these systems, is reviewed. Further, it describes the mechanisms involved to remove organics and nutrients, as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of individual systems. Finally, this review will aid future efforts to recover the energy present in organic waste with the help of BESs and to develop integrated solid waste management systems.