First step towards a fast analytical method for the determination of biochemical methane potential of solid wastes by near infrared spectroscopy

M. Lesteur (1) , E. Latrille (2) , Véronique Bellon Maurel (1) , J.M. Roger (1) , C. Gonzalez (3) , G. Junqua (3) , J.P. Steyer (2)

1 UMR ITAP - Information – Technologies – Analyse Environnementale – Procédés Agricoles
2 LBE - Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement [Narbonne]
3 LGEI - Laboratoire de Génie de l'Environnement Industriel

Methane can be produced by anaerobic digestion. The Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test is widely applied to determine the anaerobic biodegradability of wastes. It is based on a fermentation process, which is time consuming, about 30 days. This study investigates the use of near infrared spectroscopy to predict the biochemical methane potential value of municipal solid waste. Near infrared spectroscopy has the advantage to be very fast and applicable to solid waste with a light sample preparation. Satisfying results were obtained: R2= 0.76; Standard Error of Prediction = 28 ml CH4.g-1 Volatile Solid, that compare very favourably with reported results for other more expensive and more time-consuming methods. To our knowledge, it is the first time near infrared spectroscopy is used to predict the Biochemical Methane Potential value. Using near infrared spectroscopy for waste management would thus lead to a real benefit from an industrial point of view.

Mots clés: SPECTROMETRIE; ANALYSEUR INFRAROUGE; METHANE; BIOCHIMIE; DECHET SOLIDE

Domaines: Ingénierie de l'environnement

M. Lesteur, E. Latrille, Véronique Bellon Maurel, J.M. Roger, C. Gonzalez, et al.. First step towards a fast analytical method for the determination of biochemical methane potential of solid wastes by near infrared spectroscopy. Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102 (3), p. 2280 - p. 2288. ⟨10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.044⟩. ⟨hal-00583616⟩