Acidogenic and methanogenic fermentation of causticized straw

The effects of pretreatment process variables [straw concentration between 20 and 90 kg volatile solids (VS)/m(3), temperature between 30 and 85 degrees C, and alkaline dosage between 0 and 80 g NaOH/kg VS] on acidogenesis and methanogenesis were investigated. Rates of acidogenesis and methanogenesis were determined using firstorder kinetics, and ultimate acid and methane yields were measured. The acid yield was not affected by pretreatment concentration or temperature, but increased as alkaline dosage increased. The acidogenesis rate was not affected by pretreatment temperature or alkaline dosage, but decreased as the substrate concentration increased. This decrease in the acidogenesis rate was attributed to a decrease in the inoculum: substrate ratio as the substrate concentration increased. The methane yield and methanogenesis rate were not affected by pretreatment substrate concentration or temperature, and both increased with alkaline dosage up to about 40 g NaOH/kg VS, then remained relatively constant above 40 g NaOH/kg VS.