96/06144 Effects of pH and substrate:Inoculum ratio on batch methane fermentation

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1996
• Weight: 204 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0140-6701
• DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6701(97)83551-5

✦ Synopsis

Batch'digestion experiments were conducted to determine the effects of inoculum:substrate ratio and initial medium pH on methane production from glucose. A ratio between the chemical oxygen demands of the substrate and inoculum solids (SISR) was used to quantify the food to microorganisms ratio. Two periods of active methane production, separated by a period of inactivity, characterized the fermentation. The duration of inactivity was affected by both SISR and the initial medium pH. It decreased as SISR was decreased or when a higher initial pH was used. With a SISR of 4.8 and a pH of 7.2 or 7.0, the inactive period was eliminated, indicating satisfactory couplin methane yield at a s of the acid-and methane-forming phases. Ultimate ISR of 4.8 was higher than at a SISR OF 38.5.