Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Physicochemical Properties Of Residuals From Anaerobic Digestion Of Dairy Manure And Food Waste: Nutrient Cycling Implications And Opportunities For Edible Mushroom Cultivation, Brendan J. O'Brien

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Organics recycling is increasing in New England as multiple states have enacted laws to divert organic materials, including food scraps and food processing residuals, away from landfills. Anaerobic digesters on dairy farms represent an attractive approach to food waste recycling because existing infrastructure is in place and co-digestion of dairy manure with food waste can increase renewable biogas production. In addition, anaerobic digestion results in effluents that can be separated into solid and liquid residual materials, or 'digestates'. Screw-press separated solids consist of lignocellulosic biomass resistant to microbial degradation during anaerobic digestion. These separated solids are typically recycled on farms …