Bacterial Flora Activating Mapping Integrated Method of Biological and Engineering Measures to Analyze Bacterial Behavior in Refuse Derived Fuel

Abstract

This research introduces a new scientific method of determining causes for fire and explosions in refuse derived fuel (RDF) by visualizing microorganism activities which cannot be seen by eye-sight. The visualizing was realized by a bacteria flora activating mapping which was made by comparing the data of temperature and oxygen concentration obtained in this experiment with optimum temperature and optimum oxygen concentration for microorganisms in the database. Several bacteria in RDF which were produced in Japan remain in dormant state during the production process, and they germinate and multiply with the presence of water. These bacteria were identified by the metagenome analysis as 10 aerobes, 7 facultative anaerobes, and 10 obligate anaerobes. Of these 27 species, 20 were identified as spore forming bacteria, and 12 as hydrogen producing bacteria. For the experiment, a 20 L insulated tank containing 10 kg RDF was used and drops of distilled water were applied from the top of the tank. Changes of temperature and gas composition with time were measured by a thermocouple and sampling probes which were inserted in the tank. Utilizing the bacteria flora activating mapping, how microorganism activities affect processes leading to fires in piles of RDF was considered.