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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981 September; 42(3): 502-505

Effects of Nickel, Cobalt, and Molybdenum on Performance of Methanogenic Fixed-Film Reactors

¹ Division of Biological Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6

ABSTRACT

The conversion of acetic acid to methane and carbon dioxide by a mixed methanogenic population from an anaerobic fixed-film digestor was stimulated by the addition of nickel (100 nM) and cobalt (50 nM) and especially by the addition of these elements in combination. Molybdenum addition (50 nM) was only slightly stimulatory when added in combination with both nickel and cobalt. The addition of these trace metals to anaerobic fixed-film digestors, which treat food processing waste, greatly enhanced reactor performance. Total gas and methane productions were increased 42%, greater volumes of waste could be effectively treated, and reactor residence time was shortened. However, the lag period for reactor start-up was not reduced. Tests showed that reactor performance was increased because trace nutrient addition allowed accumulation of a thicker methanogenic fixed film.

Issued as National Research Council of Canada no. 19612.