Methane Production From Waste Organic Matter

The primary emphasis of this reference book is the application of anaerobic digestion to produce methane gas from several types of waste organic matter. The text begins with an introduction of different types of digesters and a brief description of the various modes of operation in practice. The second chapter presents a world survey on anaerobic digestion emphasizing some interesting applications especially in isolated areas where a digester not only is used to extract energy from animal wastes but it also stabilizes the waste for land application. The next four chapters describe the anaerobic digestion process. Though the information is not new, it introduces the reader to the nature of the microorganisms active in a digester, the biochemical transformation taking place that ultimately produce methane gas and a stable sludge for land application or disposal, and generally accepted design criteria. A chapter on digester gas presents the characteristics of the component gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. Several tables show both the physical characteristics and the physiological effects of the important component gases. Of particular interest are the examples given for both on site and off site usage of the digester gas. The next two chapters focusmore » on operation problems and methods of controlling digester performance. In Chapters 9 and 10, Digester Potential with Specific Waste Materials and Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion, respectively, the authors emphasize that anaerobic digestion seems to be the most promising method for utilizing biomass of a high-moisture content. The book concludes with the potential commercial aspects of digestion that have already begun to be recognized throughout the world.« less