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Effects of Feedstock Sources on Inoculant Acclimatization: Start-up Strategies and Reactor Performance

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Abstract

Different inoculum sources and acclimatization methods result in different substrate adaptation and biodegradability. To increase straw degradation rate, shorten the digester start-up time, and enhance the biogas production, we domesticated anaerobic sludge by adding microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). During acclimatization, the start-up strategies and reactor performance were investigated to analyze changes in feedstock adaption, biodegradability, and methanogen activity. The effect of the domesticated inoculum was evaluated by testing batch un-pretreated corn stover with a dewatered sludge (DS)-domesticated inoculum as a control. The results showed that (1) using MCC as a substrate rapidly improved microorganism biodegradability and adaptation. (2) MCC as domesticated substrate has relatively stable system and high mass conversion, but with low buffer capacity. (3) Macro- and micronutrients should be added for improving the activity of methanogenic and system’s buffer capacity. (4) Using the domesticated inoculums and batch tests to anaerobically digest untreated corn stover yielded rapid biogas production of 292 mL, with an early peak value on the first day. The results indicated that cultivating directional inoculum can efficiently and quickly start-up digester. These investigated results to promote anaerobic digestion of straw for producing biogas speed up the transformation of achievements of biomass solid waste utilization have a positive promoting significance.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Anaerobic digestion

CS:

Corn stover

semi-CSTR:

Semi-continuous stirred-tank reactor

C/N ratio:

Carbon/nitrogen ratio

DS:

Dewatered sludge

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

MCC:

Microcrystalline cellulose

NH4 +-N:

Ammonia nitrogen

OLR:

Organic loading rate

SCOD:

Soluble chemical oxygen demand

TA:

Total alkalinity

TS:

Total solid

VFAs:

Total volatile fatty acids

VS:

Volatile solid

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the International Joint Research Projects in the Science & Technology Pillar Program of Tianjin, China (13RCGFSF14300), the Research Projects in the Science & Technology Pillar Program of Tianjin, China (14TXGCCX00012), the Research Projects in the Science & Technology Program of Jinnan District Tianjin, China (2015JNKW0005), the Research Projects in the Science & Technology Pillar Program of Tianjin, China (15JCTPJC63300), and the Ph.D. Candidate Research Innovation Fund of Nankai University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Street, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China

    Qian Yang, Liang-Huan Wei, Wei-Zun Li, Yu Chen & Mei-Ting Ju

  2. College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Kashi University, Xinjiang Kashi, 844006, People’s Republic of China

    Liang-Huan Wei

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  1. Qian Yang
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Correspondence to Mei-Ting Ju.

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Yang, Q., Wei, LH., Li, WZ. et al. Effects of Feedstock Sources on Inoculant Acclimatization: Start-up Strategies and Reactor Performance. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 183, 729–743 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2460-1

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