Methods to evaluate substrate degradability in anaerobic digestion and biogas production

Abstract

Two methods developed by Prof. Dohányos and Doc. Zábranská from ICT in Prague (A) and Oxi Top Control AN 12 measuring system manufactured by MERCK Company (B), were used to determine the maximum yield of biogas and methane and the maximum rate of biogas and methane production per unit weight of biomass using buffered and macro- and micro-nutrient enriched grass biomass as a substrate. Statistical evaluation proved that the Oxi Top Control method did not provide significantly lower or higher results than the other method that is considered standard. Although the Oxi Top Control AN 12 method has a higher variance of measured values than the standard method, it can be recommended as a project and operation method for its work comfort and expeditiousness.

Keywords

• anaerobic digestion
• biogas
• substrate
• substrate degradability
• methods of determination