As a part of a three-sided agreement between Miejskim Przedsiębiorstwem Gospodarki Komunalnej Sp. z o. o. in Katowice and co-operating with Ekoamret Sp. zo.o and Muller Abfallprojekte GmbH it was decided to carry out field research in order to check and verify the realistic parameters for the ‘MobiGas 3-A’ method. The basic results of these tests were to determine the potential energy that exists in waste, thanks to MPGK SP. z.o.o the operating conditions were agreed and, as a result, a mobile installation for recycling the sieve fraction of mixed municipal waste was installed.

Testing installation is composed of three steel containers (fermentation chambers) and one technical container. All of these containers are the same size: 8,0m length, 3,0m wide & 3,0m height. All necessary devices and equipment was installed in the technical container including the co-generation system. In the co-generation system (typical RES), energy will be used for biogas that was generated during the waste stabilization process. Installed control & measurement devices allow for full monitoring of the processing system.

"3-A MobiGas" installation at MPGK Katowice. Technical container and three fermentation chambers

Loading material into fermentation chambers

The basic input materials come from ongoing mixed waste fraction MPGK production. When possible grass and elements from green spaces are added.

Recovered biodegradable waste (substrate processing) are placed in the fermentation chambers with the help of a wheel loader. Inoculating materials with subsequent portions of bacteria that is intended for fermentation is carried out by mixing it with partially fermented material. The use of chamber sets allows to keep the process going. One cycle lasts from 21 to 28 days depending on the type and the properties of material inputted.

The right humidity of fermented material is achieved by using percolate fluid that arises during the process of fermentation. It flows from individual chambers during the process and through spray is used to increase the humidity of waste that is fermenting in chambers. The process with percolate fluid takes place in a closed system. To maintain optimal conditions throughout the process, the right temperature inside the chambers needs to be maintained. This is realized through heating installation that is fitted in the floors and walls of the fermentation chamber. The thermal energy that is obtained from the cooling system of the co-generation system is used. The biogas that is obtained in the process powers the Tedom Micro T30 co-generation system.

The results achieved from tests carried out to this point, confirmed the parameters noted by the technology providers. These results justify the possibility to implement the technology that is used in “3-A’ method when it comes to municipal waste.

Field research and laboratory tests (analytical) were conducted simultaneously of fermenting materials that were collected during different stages.