Mechanical biological treatment
The terms 'mechanical biological treatment' (MBT)
or 'mechanical biological pre-treatment' relate to a group of solid
waste systems that combines a sorting facility with a form of
biological treatment such as composting or Anaerobic Digestion.
MBT plants are normally designed to process
mixed wastes, but can also process source segregated
waste. The "mechanical" element is usually an automated
mechanical sorting stage. This either removes recyclable elements
from a mixed waste stream (such as metals, plastics, glass and
paper) or processes them. It typically involves factory style
conveyors, industrial magnets, eddy current separators, trommels,
shredders and
other tailor made systems, some MBT plants process the waste
to produce a high calorific fuel given the term Refuse Derived Fuel
(RDF). RDF can be used in cement kilns or power plants and is
generally made up from plastics and biodegradable organic
waste.
Depending on size of operation, technology used
and types of waste processed, MBT plants are regulated by: