Methodical Aspects of Biogas Production in Small-Volume Bioreactors in Laboratory Investigations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a methodology to investigate the biofermentation process in small-volume fermenters. Dark serum bottles with a volume of 100-120 mL, tightly sealed with a rubber septum, were used as bioreactors. The optimum measurement conditions in this type of bioreactor comprise: (i) filling two-thirds of the maximum volume with a suspension; (ii) a 2% bioreactor loading (on a dry basis) and; (iii) the daily equalization of pressure by removing the biogas through the septum pierced with a syringe needle and the intensive mixing of the remaining suspension. The methane yield (quantity and dynamics) obtained in this type of bioreactor is analogous to that of industrial bioreactors or large-scale laboratory bioreactors. The use of small-volume bioreactors that can be incubated will facilitate the preliminary selection of analysed systems and provide an indication of those that should be investigated in large-scale bioreactors.

Effect of Combined Inoculation on Biogas Production from Hardly Degradable Material

“…The combined inoculation can possibly support nutrient enrichment that is very important for the anaerobic digestion process. However, the ISR of 2 has been previously reported as an optimum for the biogas production [24][25][26][27][28][29]. Values are the average of three determinations; the values in parentheses denote the standard deviation.…”

BioEnergy and BioChemicals Production from Biomass and Residual Resources

“…The twenty-one published papers cover a variety of biomass or waste residuals that have been converted into different types of energy, biofuels or biochemicals including heat [1,11,16], methane [2,4,[7][8][9]17,[19][20][21], electricity [2,11,16], short chain fatty acids [2,19], ethanol [3,12,19], syngas [5,19], nutrient pellets [6], hydroxymethylfurfura [15], and hydrogen [2,10,14,18,19]. The key information including biomass or residuals, products, and technology for the production and type of research are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…Kasprzycka and Kuna [4] investigated the fermentation process in small-volume fermenters with a volume of 100-120 mL, which was an effective methodology to facilitate the preliminary selection before large-scale operation.…”

BioEnergy and BioChemicals Production from Biomass and Residual Resources

“…Small-volume bioreactors could serve as a test platform to provide an indication of potential challenges that are important for the development of large-scale bioreactors. Kasprzycka and Kuna [4] investigated the fermentation process in small-volume fermenters with a volume of 100-120 mL, which was an effective methodology to facilitate the preliminary selection before large-scale operation.…”