Detailed Molecular Characterisation of Biogas Fermenters

The better the knowledge of the microbial composition in a fermenter of a biogas plant, the better the control over the process. Especially in the case of a disturbed methane production it is important to know where exactly the fermentation process is inhibited. Otherwise precious time is wasted with measures “at the off chance” of hitting the root cause.

Besides the methanogenic archaea AMODIAs detailed analysis comprises also the so called syntrophic bacteria. This allows to detect possible bottlenecks in the methane production.

Comparing the relative amounts of methanogenic to the total of bacteria in a biogas fermenter allows to distinguish possible causes of an inhibition:

• too less syntrophic bacteria: unsufficientl lysis of long-chained substrate molecules
• too less methanogenic bacteria: disturbed methanogenesis
• both groups in too little amount
• wrong relation of methanogenic groups to each other: Change in the methanogenesis relation (hydrogenotrophic to acetoclastic)

Important: This analysis should be coordinated with the consultant of your biogas plant. It is not intended as a replacement of periodic physicochemical analysis!