Valorizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste by producing black soldier fly larvae and biomethane in a biorefinery approach

The use of organic fraction municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was evaluated by rearing black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and by producing biomethane from the derived residual larval waste (R-OFMSW). To do so, OFMSW was sampled from two full scale plants during the year (four seasons) and OFMSW textures were also studied by considering untreated and pulped waste. Residual larval waste was then used to produce biomethane, closing the biorefinery process, and complete mass and energy balances are provided. On average, the larvae production was 155 +/- 58 (n = 16) g kg- 1 OFMSWDM and biogas from R-OFMSW was 138 NL kg- 1 OFMSWDM (n = 16). No differences were observed considering seasonality, waste plants and OFMSW texture. Energy balance indicated that 37% of OFMSW energy content (ECOFMSW) was recovered as the sum of BSFL and biomethane from R-OFMSW, which was much lower than the energy recovered by producing solely biomethane directly from OFMSW, i.e. 50% of ECOFMSW, because BSFL consumed a large part of the potential of OFMSW.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the use of organic fraction municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by rearing black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and producing biomethane from the residual larval waste. The results showed no significant differences in larvae production and biomethane yield from R-OFMSW among different seasons and waste processing methods.