초록
본 연구에서는 침출수 재순환 시스템을 적용한 중온 혐기성소화를 이용하여 음식물류 폐기물을 분해하여 메탄가스를 생산하였다. 실험은 $36^{\circ}C$로 유지되는 항온수조 내에 생물반응조와 침출수 저장조로 구성된 2개의 동일한 시스템(System A, System B)을 사용하였고, 생물반응조 하단 30 mm위에는 스크린이 있어 고액분리를 하여 침출수 저장조로 침출수를 이송하였다. 침출수 재순환은 매일 수행하였으며, 침출수 재순환 시에는 생물반응조 하단에서 침출수 저장조로 2.5 L를 30분간 이송한 뒤 다시 침출수 저장조에서 생물반응조 상부로 2.5 L를 30분간 주입하였다. 주입된 음식물류 폐기물은 수집되기 전 한 번 세척하였으며 반응조에 주입되기 전에 $36^{\circ}C$로 온도를 올렸다. System A에 49.1 g VS, System B에 54.0 g VS을 2주 간격으로 투입하였다. 저해인자로 측정된 항목은 $NH_4{^+}-N$과 염도였으며, 두 가지 항목의 농도 모두 시스템에 끼친 영향은 없는 것으로 나타났다. System A는 112일간, System B는 140일 동안 운전하였는데, 각 시스템에서 인발된 슬러지는 없었다. 음식물류 폐기물의 혐기성 소화를 통한 평균 메탄 발생량은 System A의 경우 0.439 L $CH_4/g$ VS, System B의 경우 0.368 L $CH_4/g$ VS로 나타났다.
In this study, mesophilic anaerobic digestion of source separated food waste was carried out by leachate recirculation system and methane gas was produced. Two systems - system A and B were fabricated and placed within water bath to maintain $36^{\circ}C$. Each system was comprised of an anaerobic bioreactor and a leachate tank. Leachate in bioreactor was separated through the screen located at 30 mm above the bottom and a pump was installed to transfer collected leachate to the leachate tank. Everyday, 2.5 L of the leachate was pumped from the bioreactor to the leachate tank for 30 min and transferred leachate was pumped back to the top of the bioreactor for 30min, sequentially. Source separated food waste used for this experiment was washed by water before transferring to the laboratory. Transferred food waste was warmed to $36^{\circ}C$ before being fed to bioreactors. System A was fed to 49.1 g VS (Volatile Solids) and System B was fed to 54.0 g VS at every two weeks, respectively. $NH_4{^+}-N$ and salinity were monitored to see the inhibition toward anaerobic bioreaction and it was found that concentrations of these materials were not high enough to affect the bioreaction. Although the food waste was fed biweekly for 112 days and 140 days at system A and B, respectively, there was no sludge withdrawal from each system. Average methane productions rates were 0.439 L $CH_4/g$ VS and 0.368 L $CH_4/g$ VS for system A and B, respectively.
