Anaerobic digestion of food waste stabilized by lime mud from papermaking process

• CH4 production from food waste by a single-stage with LMP addition was proposed.
• Maximum CH4 yield of 272.8 mL/g VS was obtained at 10 g LMP/L and 19.8 g VS/L.
• No VFAs, NH4+-N inhibition when LMP added and optimal VS removal (47%) were found.
• Alkalinity and elements of LMP favored anaerobic stability and CH4 yield.

The effects of lime mud from papermaking process (LMP) addition as buffer agent and inorganic nutrient on the anaerobic digestion stability of food waste (FW) were investigated under mesophilic conditions with the aim of avoiding volatile fatty acids accumulation, and inorganic elements deficiency. When LMP concentration ranged from 6.0 to 10 g/L, the FW anaerobic digestion could maintain efficient and stable state. These advantages are attributed to the existence of Ca, Na, Mg, K, Fe, and alkaline substances that favor the methanogenic process. The highest CH4 yield of 272.8 mL/g-VS was obtained at LMP and VS concentrations of 10.0 and 19.8 g/L, respectively, with the corresponding lag-phase time of 3.84 d and final pH of 8.4. The methanogens from residue digestates mainly consisted of Methanobrevibacter, coccus-type and sarcina-type methanogens with LMP addition compared to Methanobacteria in control. However, higher concentration of LMP inhibited methanogenic activities and methane production.