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Methanogenesis in thermophilic biogas reactors

¹Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek

|January 1, 1995

Summary

This study examines methanogenesis in thermophilic biogas reactors, finding that higher organic loading stabilizes the process and influences methanogen populations. Reactor stability and loading rates impact the numbers and types of methanogens present, affecting biogas production.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Science
Biotechnology

Background:

Thermophilic biogas reactors are crucial for waste management and energy production.
Understanding methanogenesis is key to optimizing biogas yields.
The microbial communities, particularly methanogens, play a vital role in biogas production.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate methanogenesis in thermophilic biogas reactors fed with various wastes.
To correlate specific methanogenic activity and microbial populations with reactor loading and stability.
To elucidate the metabolic pathways of acetate utilization under different conditions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of specific methanogenic activity using acetate and hydrogen as substrates.
Quantification of methanogens using the most probable number (MPN) technique and antibody probes.
Tracking acetate metabolism using 2-14C-labeled acetate.

Main Results:

Increased organic loading stabilized thermophilic reactors, reducing volatile fatty acids.
Methanogen numbers varied with loading rate and reactor stability; MPN and antibody probe counts differed, indicating uncultured methanogens.
Acetate utilization shifted from aceticlastic pathways at high concentrations to syntrophic acetate oxidation at low concentrations.

Conclusions:

Reactor loading and stability significantly influence methanogenic activity and microbial community structure in thermophilic biogas systems.
Syntrophic acetate oxidation is a key pathway in thermophilic reactors, with acetate-oxidizing cultures occupying a niche similar to Methanothrix in mesophilic systems.
While thermophilic operation can be extended to higher temperatures, propionate degradation may be inhibited.

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