Many cities and municipalities have difficulty managing their organic waste. Effective management of organic waste is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to promote sustainable resource management. The management of organic waste typically involves source separation, collection, transportation, and processing. Composting and anaerobic digestion are two common methods of processing it. Managing organic waste correctly can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and provide economic benefits through the production of renewable energy and other valuable byproducts.
The company Econward Tech has developed a five-step process to convert municipal solid waste into a stream of biogas and a digestate that can be composted. The process starts with pre-screening mechanical separation. The second step is treating the organic waste with continuous thermal pressure hydrolysis technology—a process that utilizes high temperatures and pressure to break down molecules in the waste and make it more easily digestible.
After conducting post-screening mechanical separation, the organic waste is then placed in an anaerobic digester where the organic material is broken down by microorganisms. Biogas is produced as a byproduct during this step. The final component of the process is biogas upgrading.
This technology reduces the amount of waste ending up in landfills and produces a valuable resource—biogas. It also provides a nutrient-rich fertilizer as a byproduct. “The integration of thermal pressure hydrolysis technology with anaerobic digestion offers a promising solution to the growing organic waste management challenge,” according to Joe Ayala of Econward Tech. “It promotes sustainability by reducing waste, producing renewable energy, and creating valuable resources from what was once considered waste.”
The UK’s Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) selected Econward Tech as a finalist in the Research and Innovation category for the awards presented during the World Biogas Expo this week. “It is a privilege for us to be recognized among the best and most prominent players in the industry for our contributions to advancing biogas on a global scale,” according to the company’s announcement.