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Comprehensive Evaluation of Factors Impacting Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenic Activity Determinations

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Abstract

The hydrogenotrophic pathway for methane production in anaerobic reactors is capturing the attention of the academic community. For this reason, the factors involved in the specific hydrogenotrophic methanogenic activity (SHMA) test must be well known to perform an accurate characterization of biosludge. Specifically, the resistance to mass transfer between the gas and liquid phases can become the primary factor influencing the global rate, thus yielding misleading results. This paper presents a comprehensive model that aims to understand the dynamics of the variables and evaluate the limitations associated with the assay conditions. Experimental determinations of SHMA and mass transfer coefficient (kLa) are performed to support the model findings. The mass transfer of gaseous substrates and the biological reactions, occurring within a pseudohomogeneous liquid phase, are sequential processes. If the resistance to mass transfer is significant relative to the reaction rate, it adversely affects the overall rate and consequently leads to an inaccurate determination of the activity. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the shaking conditions, flask geometry, and biomass concentration during the test to prevent the mass transfer resistance from determining the overall rate.

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  1. Universidad de la Republica - Facultad de Ingenieria, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Ivan Lopez, Mateo Ribeiro & Liliana Borzacconi

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  1. Ivan Lopez
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Lopez, I., Ribeiro, M. & Borzacconi, L. Comprehensive Evaluation of Factors Impacting Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenic Activity Determinations. Waste Biomass Valor 15, 2911–2924 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-023-02332-z

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