Predicting methane fermentation biodegradability. Final report

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Abstract
Due to the worldwide energy shortage, increased attention has been given to methane fermentation as an energy production process. Current engineering methods require 90 days or more before substrate biodegradability can be ascertained. Furthermore, no procedure exists that enables rapid prediction of methane yield per mass of substrate destroyed. Fifteen substrates, representing a wide range of cell soluble, cell wall and cell wall lignin contents, were batch fermented at 35/sup 0/C for 120 days. Daily gas production was measured for the first 90 days of the fermentation period. Both initial and fermented substrate solids underwent fiber analyses to determine their exact composition and to measure extent of biodegradation achieved after 120 days. Based on batch fermentation and fiber analyses results, four models predicting substrate biodegradable fraction were constructed and evaluated. Predicting biodegradability based on volatile solids lignin content was found to be the superior model. The analyses required by this model can be completed within one day.

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