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Waste Treatment
Technologies
Anaerobic Digestion & Solidification / Stabilization
ENCH4CA

Group 3
Shrivar Devraj
Thobile Mdlazi
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Introduction

➢ 107.7 million tons of waste is generated annually in South Africa. 1

➢ 335 112.9 tons of MSW was collected by DSW in 2022 2

➢ The waste composes of mainly glass, paper, plastic, metal and organic waste which is collected from
households and businesses using door-to-door collection. 3

➢ The MSW collected does not contain hazardous waste. Critical materials are found in small amounts
due to improper disposal of e-waste and batteries.

1 Modise, P., 2022. Overview by Minister on Waste Streams (General & Hazardous); SALGA on local government support programme for waste sector. [Online]
Available at: https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/34318/
2 SAWIC, 2009. Department Environemntal Forestry and Fisheries. [Online]
Available at: http://sawic.environment.gov.za/index.php?menu=50&id=ETH 2
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3 Zuma, Z. S., 2023. Waste Characterization and Quantity for DSW (Engineer at DSW eThekwini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste) [Interview]
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Digestion
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Treatment

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Process Design
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➢ Anaerobic Digestion involves the breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen.

➢ To produce Methane, four processes need to take place, hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and
methanogenesis.

➢ MSW is collected, sorted using many processes and pre-treated by size reduction and heat at
thermophilic conditions. 4

➢ The organic waste is fed into biodigester with a residence time of 15-20 days, which produces biogas
and digestate. 4

➢ Modular design digesters will treat 100 000 tons/ year, i.e. 274 tons/day with reactor volume of 9096𝑚3

➢ The recyclables collected will be sold to recycling companies, and the non-recyclables sent to landfills.

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4 Remy, F., 2018. Potential for the anaerobic digestion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, Sweden: s.n.
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Process Design
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➢ The MSW is taken to a rotary screening unit, where organic waste is separated from the other waste.

➢ The remaining waste is taken to a size reduction grinder to reduce its volume.

➢ It is then taken to a homogenizer, where a homogenous, stabilized mixture of waste is made,

➢ The mixture is taken to a storage tank and left for a few hours to allow it to stabilize completely.

➢ Stabilized waste is sent to the mixer (solidifier) where it is solidified using water and Portland cement.

➢ The mixture is then taken to a storage tank for complete solidification.

➢ The solidified waste is taken to a landfill site, while the wastewater is pumped out of the unit for
treatment. VOCs, CO2, and CH4 taken to a silo tank.

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Advantages
➢ Production of biogas which is renewable energy and can be used to produce electricity and digestate for
nutrient-rich fertiliser.

➢ Reduces amount of landfilled waste and GHG emissions.

➢ Little to no wastage of waste input, and products provide additional income. 4

Disadvantages

➢ Process sensitive to feed. Contaminants such as inorganic material (glass, plastic, metal) need to be
removed.

➢ High investment and pre-treatment costs.

➢ Long residence time for completion of process 4

4 Remy, F., 2018. Potential for the anaerobic digestion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, Sweden: s.n. 7
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Solidification/ Stabilization
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Advantages
➢ S/S reduces mobility, hence reducing the leaching of toxins into the soil and groundwater.

➢ S/S results in compacted waste which takes up less space.

➢ Potential reuse of S/S waste as building material or landfill cover.

Disadvantages
➢ High energy and costs to transport S/S waste and potential to emit carbon.

➢ S/S waste may accumulate in a landfill, occupying space indefinitely.

➢ Stabilized waste may still provide health risks depending on the type and degree of
contamination.

Naik, N., Tkachenko, E. & Wung, R., 2013. The Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste in California, 8
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Berkeley: University of California.
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➢ Anaerobic Digestion forms part of Nutrient ➢ Solidification/ Stabilization forms part of

Recovery and Treatment Treatment on the Waste Management Hierachy
➢ Expensive but worth the investment 5 ➢ Cheaper to implement without additional benefits
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5 Stuckey,D https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320349623_Microbial_Biomethane_from_Solid_Wastes_Technologies_and_Applications 9
6 GN SOLOIDS CONTROL https://www.gnsolidscontrol.com/drilling-fluids/drilling-fluids/page-116 9
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Conclusion

➢ Various technologies were investigated to implemented as waste treatment for DSW.

➢ Anaerobic Digestion was chosen as the technology to implement for its low
environmental impact, low operation, and maintenance costs when compared to S/S.

➢ S/S has the advantage of using majority of the waste stream although long-term
effects of this treatment is unknown.

➢ Anaerobic Digestion has advantageous products of biogas for electricity generation

and fertiliser for crops.

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Recommendations

➢ Funding recycling initiatives in communities to promote source separation of waste by

type, reducing costs for pre-treatments and sorting.

➢ More recycling centres for a waste implementation of a combination of technologies.

➢ Anaerobic Digestion specifications varies by climate and location, hence further

research is required. 7

➢ New laws and regulations regarding the separation of waste need to be established.

➢ Further research needs to be done on WTE technologies which can help manage South
Africa’s electricity crisis.

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7 Naik, N., Tkachenko, E. & Wung, R., 2013. The Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste in California, Berkeley: University of California.
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Thank You

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