Inhibition of gas production by thermophilic anaerobic sludges : The effect of organic compounds

Abstract
Six organic compounds, known to inhibit gas production in mesophilic sludges, were tested with thermophilic sludges. The compounds were vegetable tanning agents, polyhydroxy phenolic compounds and a slimicide used in the paper industry. The results showed that all the compounds inhibited thermophilic methanogenesis and that the concentrations causing a 50 percent reduction in gas production were lower than those for mesophilic sludge.