Methods for Kinetic Analysis of Methane Fermentation in High Solids Biomass Digesters

Abstract

Methods are presented for kinetic analysis of anaerobic biomass reactors. In some cases, assumptions implicit in kinetic analysis techniques developed for conventional dilute digestion modes are not applicable to systems operating at high rates and/or high solids concentrations. As a result, modified definitions are presented for CST digester retention times and first-order kinetic coefficients. Procedures are presented for converting biogas data to standard conditions. Two novel methods for quantifying mass removals, based on direct measurement of reactor mass losses and on biogas production, allow rapid determination of mass removal rates and detection of gas leakage. The use of a per unit mass basis for reporting concentrations and kinetics is recommended.