Biodegradation of Lignocellulosic Material under Sulfidogenic and Methanogenic Conditions in the Landfill Column Reactors

Abstract

The degradation of cellulosic and lignocellulosic waste was investigated in the simulated landfill column reactors, under sulfidogenic and methanogenic conditions. Competition between SRB and MPB was steered to optimum sulfate reduction and thus suppress the methane production in phase V of waste stabilization, where methane composition of biogas decreases and economical methane use is not feasible. In addition to the control of methane gas production, carbon dioxide emission was also reduced in sulfate reducing reactors. In vial batch experiment the hydrolysis rate constant of Avicel cellulose in sulfate reducing culture was 1.44 times higher than that in methanogenic culture. Results from carbon balance in vial experiments showed that carbon mineralization in sulfate reducing vial sets was 2–5 times higher for various cellulosic and lignocellulosic material than in methanogenic vial sets.

Keywords:

• Cellulosic and lignocellulosic
• landfill
• methanogenic
• sulfate reduction