Early assessment of a rapid alternative method for the estimation of the biomethane potential of sewage sludge

Solenn Bellaton; Sabrina Guérin; Nathalie Pautremat; Jean Bernier; Mathieu Muller; Stéphane Motellet; Sam Azimi; André Pauss; Vincent Rocher

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.139

Early assessment of a rapid alternative method for the estimation of the biomethane potential of sewage sludge

Bioresour Technol. 2016 Apr:206:279-284. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.139. Epub 2016 Feb 6.

Authors

Solenn Bellaton¹, Sabrina Guérin², Nathalie Pautremat³, Jean Bernier², Mathieu Muller⁴, Stéphane Motellet⁵, Sam Azimi², André Pauss⁵, Vincent Rocher²

Affiliations

¹ AMS Envolure, 1682 rue de la Valsière, 34184 Montpellier Cedex 4, France. Electronic address: solenn.bellaton@envolure.com.
² SIAAP, Direction du Développement et de la Prospective, 82 Avenue Kléber, 92700 Colombes, France.
³ AMS Envolure, 1682 rue de la Valsière, 34184 Montpellier Cedex 4, France; SCANAE, 1682 rue de la Valsière, 34790 Grabels, France.
⁴ AMS Envolure, 1682 rue de la Valsière, 34184 Montpellier Cedex 4, France.
⁵ Centre de Recherche Royallieu, Université Technologique de Compiègne, BP 20529, rue Personne de Roberval, 60205 Compiègne Cedex, France.

PMID: 26869069
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.139

Abstract

This short communication briefly presents a rapid method using a fluorescent redox indicator, similar to resazurin, in order to estimate the biodegradability of sewage sludge during anaerobic digestion (AD). The biodegradability and by extension the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of nineteen municipal sludge samples (primary, biological and tertiary) were investigated and estimated in only 48 h. Results showed the relevance to follow the metabolic activity of anaerobic sludge by the kinetic of probe reduction. The extended lag phase of inoculum indicated an impact of pre-treatments on enzyme activity. The comparison with Automatic Methane Potential Test System II (AMPTS) confirmed the estimated values of BMP according to an uncertainty limit of 25%. These first results highlight the interest of this rapid assay as a preliminary tool of the biodegradability of sewage sludge in anaerobic digestion.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Automatic Methane Potential Test System; Biodegradability; Biomethane production; Fluorescent redox indicator.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anaerobiosis
Biodegradation, Environmental
Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
Fluorescence
Kinetics
Methane / metabolism*
Sewage / chemistry*

Substances

Sewage
Methane