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Process Disturbances in Agricultural Biogas Production—Causes, Mechanisms and Effects on the Biogas Microbiome: A Review

Author

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  • Susanne Theuerl

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Johanna Klang

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Annette Prochnow

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
    Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Albrecht Daniel Thaer Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Hinter der Reinhardtstr. 6–8, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Disturbances of the anaerobic digestion process reduce the economic and environmental performance of biogas systems. A better understanding of the highly complex process is of crucial importance in order to avoid disturbances. This review defines process disturbances as significant changes in the functionality within the microbial community leading to unacceptable and severe decreases in biogas production and requiring an active counteraction to be overcome. The main types of process disturbances in agricultural biogas production are classified as unfavorable process temperatures, fluctuations in the availability of macro- and micronutrients (feedstock variability), overload of the microbial degradation potential, process-related accumulation of inhibiting metabolites such as hydrogen (H 2 ), ammonium/ammonia (NH 4 + /NH 3 ) or hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) and inhibition by other organic and inorganic toxicants. Causes, mechanisms and effects on the biogas microbiome are discussed. The need for a knowledge-based microbiome management to ensure a stable and efficient production of biogas with low susceptibility to disturbances is derived and an outlook on potential future process monitoring and control by means of microbial indicators is provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Susanne Theuerl & Johanna Klang & Annette Prochnow, 2019. "Process Disturbances in Agricultural Biogas Production—Causes, Mechanisms and Effects on the Biogas Microbiome: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:365-:d:200441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Ao, Tianjie & Chen, Lin & Zhou, Pan & Liu, Xiaofeng & Li, Dong, 2021. "The role of oxidation-reduction potential as an early warning indicator, and a microbial instability mechanism in a pilot-scale anaerobic mesophilic digestion of chicken manure," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 223-232.
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