Due to limited resources, stability parameters like pH, VFA, TN, VS, etc cannot be measured, except biogas combustibility
https://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13068-015-0309-9
I interpret "limited resources" as "no online monitoring possible".
What about probing? At least when the methane content of the product gas is decreasing. Lab assessment of the pH of some probe should no be an issue. Further analyzes would depend 9n the lab's capabilities.
The loading can be increased by getting control over the pH, nutrients available for the microbes, and temperature. That said, the process will eventually become self-limiting because there is no way to extract the protein that builds up. This protein decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen sulfide which are toxic to the process.
Hi Maku,
I understand the lack of equipment issue very well. You must note that anaerobic digestion is a biological process and basic monitoring is required. Also, limiting loading to full operation within 1 month is not advisable. Patience is required with AD. You need to load your digester with the inoculum and wait for a period of one week to two weeks before even feeding any substrate (depending on the oxygen content in the air space of your digester). When the system is ready for loading, an approach is to start with 0.5 g VS/l-day for the first week, then increase by 0.5 g VS/l-day each week. This does not yet guarantee that the system might not need you to adjust back and forth the loading depending on the response of the microbial consortium. Yet this basic approach cannot be conducted if you don't know the real total solid of your substrate. Can't you assess a basic oven with a heating capability of 105 C. Even if you cannot dry for 24 hours due to electricity constraint. the few hours (about 10 to 12) gives you a rough idea of the TS. For pH, you can use a litmus paper, not accurate though but gives some indication of what range your pH is (pH increases once the liquid is exposed to the atmosphere, so this must be done rapidly).
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Powders