Biological conversion of biomass to methane. Final report, June 1, 1976-January 31, 1980

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5265017· OSTI ID:5265017

Pfeffer, J T

An experimental methane fermentation system was constructed for the purpose of evaluating the processng requirements and conversion efficiencies associated with production of methane from various organic feed stocks. The fermentation reactors had an operating volume 0.775 m/sup 3/. This permitted operation with an approximate continuous feed of milled organics including beef feedlot manure, corn stover, wheat straw and alfalfa hay. A thermochemical pretreatment was applied to the corn stover and wheat straw in order to increase the biodegradability of these substrates. Working with these large units provided sufficient volumes of fermented slurry for evaluation of the dewatering properties of these slurries. Kinetic data were obtained by operating four reactors at different retention times. These data were used to calculate a first order rate constant and the percent of substrate volatile solids that were biodegradable. These data were obtained on beef feed lot manure at 40/sup 0/C and 60/sup 0/C nominal fermentation temperatures. Data from the fermentation of corn stover showed that the biodegradability of the stover volatile solids was only 36 percent at the thermophilic fermentation temperature. The first order rate constant was found to be 0.25 day/sup -1/. Thermochemical pretreatment increased the biodegradability of stover volatile solids to 71 percent. The final substrate tested was a green crop that was field dried - alfalfa. Significant foaming problems were encountered with this material. The volatile solids were found to be 74 percent biodegradable at a fermentation temperature of 60/sup 0/C. (MHR)

• Research Organization: Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 5265017
• Report Number(s): COO-2917-16
• 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
ALFALFA
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
BIODEGRADATION
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DECOMPOSITION
DIGESTION
DISPERSIONS
FILTRATION
FLUIDS
GAS YIELDS
GASES
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HYDROCARBONS
LEGUMINOSAE
MAIZE
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
METHANE
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
REMOVAL
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLURRIES
SOLID WASTES
SUSPENSIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
WATER REMOVAL
YIELDS