The effect of feeding on microbiome and biogas composition in anaerobic CSTR

Abstract

his study investigates the performance of two Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTRs) with a focus on biogas yield, physicochemical parameters, and microbial dynamics. By integrating experimental observations with insights from recent literature, the research aims to elucidate the intricate relationships between reactor conditions, microbiome composition, and biogas production efficiency. Two substrates were used: a control substrate (SB1) and a protein-rich test substrate (SB2). The study monitored key parameters such as pH, Total Alkalinity of Carbonates (TAC), and volatile fatty acids (FOS), and analyzed the microbial communities using high-throughput sequencing. Results indicated significant temporal variations in pH, TAC, and nitrogen levels, with a declining FOS/TAC ratio. The introduction of SB2 led to increased biogas production and methane content, particularly at higher Hydraulic Retention Times (HRT). The study also high-lighted the role of specific microbial taxa in enhancing biogas quality. These findings contribute to the development of optimized strategies for sustainable biogas production and process control.