Anaerobic digestion of solid wastes needs research to face an increasing industrial success

Abstract : Anaerobic digestion of solid wastes is an emerging solution for both waste management and energy production. The high complexity of the process is mostly attributed to the absence of descriptors for the design and the prediction of such a process. This paper presents an approach for the description of organic matter based on several biochemical parameters, established on 22 different organic wastes. The lignocellulosic content is the most important parameter for the prediction of anaerobic biodegradability and methane production; in addition, the knowledge of the carbohydrate, lipid and protein contents is also crucial and makes possible a prediction of the intrinsic kinetics of the reaction.