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  6. High Rate Low Solids Methane Fermentation of Sorghum, Corn, and Cellulose

High Rate Low Solids Methane Fermentation of Sorghum, Corn, and Cellulose

File(s)
High Rate Low Solids Methane Fermentation of Sorghum, Corn, and Cellulose.pdf (1.07 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/60789
Collections
Dairy Environmental Systems
Author
Richards, Brian K.
Cummings, Robert J.
Jewell, William J.
Abstract

Sorghum, sorghum/alpha-cellulose mixture, and corn were anaerobically digested at 55°C at effluent solids contents of 8-12% total solids (TS), using trace nutrient supplementation. Volatile solids (VS) loading rates at much higher levels than conventional maxima were maintained without volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation. Semi-continuously fed digesters with organic loading rates (OLR) up to 12 gVS kg-’ d-’ produced methane at rates up to 3.3 L kg-’ d-‘. Continuous feeding of corn at an OLR of 18 gVS kg-’ d-’ resulted in a methane production rate of 5.4 L kg-’ d-‘. VS removal efficiencies at maximum OLRs were 60% (sorghum) and 67% (corn). At an OLR of 4 gVS kg-’ d-l, sorghum alone as a feedstock led to excess ammonia-N accumulation. Excess ammonia did not accumulate at sorghum loading rates of 8 and 12 gVS kg-’ d-l, nor with a sorghum/alpha-cellulose mix loaded at 8 gVS kg-’ d-l. Instantaneous gas production rates were directly related to feedstock cell soluble content, with peak instantaneous biogas production rates from corn (OLR of 8 gVS kg-’ d-‘) approaching 25 L kg-’ d- ’ following a three-day feeding.

Date Issued
1991-12
Keywords
Anaerobic Digestion
•
Biogas
•
Biomass
•
Trace Nutrients
•
Fiber Analysis
Type
other

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