Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests: Reducing test time by early parameter estimation

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 71; pp. 19 - 24
• Main Authors: Da Silva, C., Astals, S., Peces, M., Campos, J.L., Guerrero, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion; BALANCES; Batch test; Biomethane potential; BIOTECHNOLOGY; Kinetics; MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; METHANE; Modelling; OPTIMIZATION; Sensitivity functions; WASTES; Modelling; Sensitivity functions; Biomethane potential; Kinetics; Anaerobic digestion; Batch test
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.10.009

•Early parameters prediction of BMP model is achieved by using sensitivity functions.•Minimum testing time for early parameter estimation is related to kinetic constant.•Balanced regression improves the accuracy of estimated parameters. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) test is a key analytical technique to assess the implementation and optimisation of anaerobic biotechnologies. However, this technique is characterised by long testing times (from 20 to >100days), which is not suitable for waste utilities, consulting companies or plants operators whose decision-making processes cannot be held for such a long time. This study develops a statistically robust mathematical strategy using sensitivity functions for early prediction of BMP first-order model parameters, i.e. methane yield (B0) and kinetic constant rate (k). The minimum testing time for early parameter estimation showed a potential correlation with the k value, where (i) slowly biodegradable substrates (k≤0.1d−1) have a minimum testing times of ≥15days, (ii) moderately biodegradable substrates (0.1<k<0.2d−1) have a minimum testing times between 8 and 15 days, and (iii) rapidly biodegradable substrates (k≥0.2d−1) have testing times lower than 7days.