Biogasification of woody biomass. Annual report, March 1986-February 1987

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5406013

Chynoweth, D P; Jerger, D E; Earle, J F.K.; Brown, R D; Yang, J C

The objectives of the research are to characterize the principal bacteria, interactions, and factors limiting depolymerization yields and rates during the methane fermentation of woody biomass and to develop and evaluate an efficient biological process for conversion of woody biomass to methane and other resources. Several samples of poplar woodgrass from Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU) and willow from State University of New York (SUNY) were obtained and analyzed for chemical composition and biochemical methane potential (BMP). Both samples exhibited methane yields of about 4.0 SCF/lb VS added which is lower than that observed from previous poplar samples. Experiments were completed to determine the effects of pH on the biogasification of cellulose, the major component of woody biomass. Conversion of cellulose to methane and carbon dioxide was inhibited at pH's of 5 and 8; while a lag phase was observed in the batch reactors maintained at pH 6. Greater than 90% conversion of the cellulose to fermentation products was completed within 4-6 days in reactors at pH 7. A 10-L mesophilic woodgrass continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was operated at 0.15 lb VS/cu. ft.-day loading, a 50-day hydraulic retention time (HRT), and a 12% feed solids concentration to serve as a baseline system for microbiology and enzymology studies. Anaerobic dilution series were conducted on samples collected from the EMP assays and mesophilic CSTR digester using a medium routinely used for methanogenic bacteria modified by addition of cellulose or pulverized poplar. Numbers from the CSTR exceeded 10/sup 9//mL indicating that the medium was suitable. Two cellulolytic organisms were isolated at high dilution and characterized from woodgrass digesters: one from the BMP reactor, the other from the CSTR.

• Research Organization: Florida Univ., Gainesville (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5406013
• Report Number(s): PB-88-178561/XAB
• 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)
ALKANES
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FERMENTATION
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
PROGRESS REPORT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WOOD