Resolutions For Anaerobic Digestion Of Agro-Food Wastes

The aim of this work is the optimization of the anaerobic digestion of wastes derived from olive oil production, which represents one important economic sector of all Mediterranean countries. The main byproducts are Olive Pomace (OP), characterized by low pH, high organic matter content, and Ligno-cellulosic materials, and Olive Mill Waste Water (OMWW), which has a dark color, low pH, and high polyphenolic substance content. These wastes are very polluting and not suitable for traditional disposal methods, which can contaminate soil and groundwater. The work involved identifying chemical and physical pretreatments through AD fermentation tests to evaluate biogas and methane production, organic matter abatement, and lag phase reduction in pretreated OP and OMWW. Different mixing systems were also tested to improve mass transfer in the reaction medium.