Biological conversion of biomass to methane. Quarterly progress report

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5245027· OSTI ID:5245027

Pfeffer, J T

Progress in comparative studies of complete-mix and multi-stage reactors for use in the anaerobic fermentation of organic solids for methane production is reported. Results indicate that if a balanced population of organisms can be maintained in the initial stage, multi-stage fermentation is more efficient than a complete-mix system. However, if the system is stressed, failure of the multi-staged system is more rapid. When the first stage is not inhibited due to a short retention time, the waste stabilization in the additional stages is minimal. Further studies on the effect of retention time on reaction rates indicate that the type of reactor design desired will depend upon the objective of the system. If it is desired to maximize the conversion of solids to methane, a staged system will produce more methane per unit volume of reactor for a given quantity of substrate. If the objective is to maximize methane production per unit volume of reactor, a single-stage reactor operating at near the minimum retention is required. Results of studies on the fermentation of manures and corn stover are discussed briefly. (JGB)

• Research Organization: Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 5245027
• Report Number(s): COO/2917-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DESIGN
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FERMENTATION
FLUIDS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HYDROCARBONS
KINETICS
MAIZE
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PROCESSING
REACTION KINETICS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHESIS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES