Production of Methane and Hydrogen from Biomass through Conventional and High-Rate Anaerobic Digestion Processes

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion processes have often been applied for biological stabilization of solid and liquid wastes. These processes generate energy in the form of biogas. Recently, high-rate methane and hydrogen fermentation from renewable biomass has drawn much attention due to current environmental problems, particularly related to global warming. Therefore, laboratory-scale research on this topic has significantly accelerated. The primary aim of this review paper is to summarize the most recent research activities covering production of methane and hydrogen via both conventional single and high-rate two-phase anaerobic digestion processes of natural sources of biomass.

KEY WORDS:

• anaerobic digestion
• biogas
• biomass
• hydrogen
• methane
• renewable energy
• two-phase anaerobic digestion

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Boaziçi University Research Fund, project number 02S103.

Notes

* AR = acidification reactor,

^†MR = methane reactor,

^‡OFMSW = organic fraction of municipal solid waste,

^§SRT = sludge retention time.

* At a pH of 5.7. ^†OFMSW = Organic fraction of municipal solid waste.