Anaerobic Processes
In anaerobic processes, such as the anaerobic reactor in municipal sewage treatment plants or in anaerobic sludge from industrial sewage treatment plants, methane gas is formed in the final step, which can be fed back into the energy cycle.
4 Phases of Microbiology
Four main phases are used in the formation of biogas. In the first phase, hydrolysis, the large organic substrates are broken down. The second phase, acidogenesis, involves acidification and the formation of volatile fatty acids, alcohols, amino acids and water. In the third phase, acetogenesis, acetic acid is formed and in the fourth and final phase, valuable methane gas is produced during methanogenesis. While the first three phases are mainly controlled by bacteria, methane-forming archaea are responsible for the last and decisive step.
Monitoring with VIT®
With the VIT® gene probe technology, the most important populations in the anaerobic process can be tracked and changes in stability can be detected at an early stage. In particular, the development of methane-forming archaea, which determine the important fourth phase in methane gas formation, can be identified and their changes observed. This makes it much easier to control and stabilize the complex anaerobic process.