[Microbiologic characteristics of a trisectional horizontal biogas tank running on cow manure]

The methanogenic activity of manure destructors was investigated at different stages of cattle manure utilization at 35 degrees in a three-section horizontal methane tank manufactured by "Enbom" company (Finland). The association of microorganisms was found to have the highest activity at the last stage of the process, while the least activity was observed in case of fresh manure. A considerable increase of the methanogenic activity in the methane tank was proved by the radioisotopic method and by calculation of the population size of microorganisms from different groups by the series dilution method. Acetic and propionic acids were absent in samples from the third section of the methane tank, while the maximum concentration of the acids was found in the manure storage and in the first section of the methane tank. A significant part of active methanogenic microorganisms was removed with the effluent. Therefore, partial recirculation of the biomass should be used to increase the efficiency of the methane tank.