Online monitoring of stable carbon isotopes of methane in anaerobic digestion as a new tool for early warning of process instability. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polag, D.; May, T.; Müller, L.; König, H.; Jacobi, F.; Laukenmann, S.; Keppler, F.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 197(2015)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion -- Process monitoring -- Stable carbon isotopes -- Laser absorption spectroscopy; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: δ 13 CCH4 -values act as early warning for process disturbances in AD. Monitoring of δ 13 CCH4 -values identifies microbial activities within AD. First implementation of δ 13 C laser spectrograph to biogas digestion. Abstract: Effective control of anaerobic digestion in biogas plants requires the monitoring of process sensitive and rapid response parameters in order to ensure efficient biogas production and to prevent potential process failure. In this study, stable carbon isotopes of methane (δ 13 CCH4 ) produced in a full-scale continuous stirred-tank reactor were investigated as a potential new monitoring tool for this purpose. Over a six-month period with variable organic loading rates, δ 13 CCH4 -values were measured online by a portable high-precision laser absorption spectrometer. During a stress period of consecutive high organic loading, δ 13 CCH4 -values early indicated process changes in contrast to traditionally monitored parameters where a change was observed some five to ten days later. Comparison of the stable isotope values with data from microbial analyses showed a distinct relationship between the quantity of potentially acetoclastic methanogens and δ 13 CCH4 -values. This finding indicates an association between dominant methanogenic pathways and carbon isotope values.