Substrate Type And Pretreatment Type Effects On VFA Production

Abstract

In the following report, the effects of substrate type and pretreatment type on the production of volatile fatty acids during anaerobic digestion was analyzed. First, the effects on volatile fatty acid production due to substrate type were investigated. It was determined that wastes that consisted of higher concentrations of carbohydrates would generate higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids during anerobic digestion. In the investigation it was evident that food waste had higher volatile fatty acid yields compared to sludge due to the carbohydrate content. Furthermore, the effects on volatile fatty acid production due to pretreatment type were also investigated. Thermal, chemical, physical and combined pretreatments were analysed. The various types of the different pretreatments and their effects on volatile fatty acid production during anaerobic digestion were discussed in depth.