Effect of temperature and retention time on methane production from beef cattle waste
The effect of temperature and retention time on the rate of methane production from waste of beef cattle fed a finishing diet was investigated by using continuously mixed 3-liter working volume anaerobic fermentors. The temperatures ranged from 30 to 65/sup 0/C with 5/sup 0/C increments between fermentors. The fermentors were fed once per day with 6% volatile solids (organic matter). Retention time for each temperature was varied from 18 to 2.5 days. After 3-volume turnovers, samples were obtained on 4 consecutive days. The highest methane production rate (liters/liter of fermentor per day) and methane yield at that rate (liters/gram of volatile solids) were 1.27 and 0.19 at 9 days and 30/sup 0/C, 1.60 and 0.16 at 6 days and 35/sup 0/C, 2.28 and 0.23 at 6 days and 40/sup 0/C, 2.42 and 0.24 at 6 days and 45/sup 0/C, 2.83 and 0.14 at 3 days and 50/sup 0/C, 2.75 and 0.14 at 3 days and 55/sup 0/C, 3.18 and 0.14 at 2.5 days and 60/sup 0/C, and 1.69 and 0.17 at 6 days and 65/sup 0/C. Volatile solids degradation at these retention times and temperatures was between 46 and 54%. The concentrations of volatile acids in the 30 to 55/sup 0/C fermentors were generally below 2000 mg/liter, with the exception of the 3-day retention time. The 60 and 65/sup 0/C fermentors were usually above this level for all retention times. These studies indicate potential rates of methane production from the fermentation of untreated waste of beef cattle fed high-grain finishing diets. This information should serve as preliminary guidelines for various kinetic analyses and aid in economic evaluations of the potential feasibility of fermenting beef cattle waste to methane.
- Research Organization:
- Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
- OSTI ID:
- 6711013
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 40:2; ISSN AEMID
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
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553000* -- Agriculture & Food Technology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKANES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CATTLE
CONTROL
DIET
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FOOD
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PROCESSING
RETENTION
RUMINANTS
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TIME DEPENDENCE
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES