This protocol describes a best practice for determining methane production and microbial kinetic parameters using respirometry for anaerobic microbiota co-digesting food scrap waste and waste-activated sludge.
The use of respirometry to study the biokinetics of microbiota treating wastewater or digesting wastewater sludges has become more prevalent over the last few decades. The use of respirometry to examine the biokinetics of anaerobic microbiota co-digesting organic waste streams such as wastewater sludge and food scrap is an area of active research. To date, no visualized protocol has been published on the topic. Accordingly, in this protocol, we configured a respirometer to measure methane production and flow rate over time using three different food-to-microorganism (F:M) ratios and food scrap waste and waste-activated sludge as substrates. The resulting data, coupled with substrate utilization measurements, provides the basis for understanding how different substrate concentrations influence the rate at which anaerobic microbiota produce methane. Additionally, this protocol presents a method to develop biokinetic parameters (e.g., methane production rate constant and yield). Others can use this respirometry protocol to examine organic degradation under anaerobic conditions and develop microbial parameters.
Researchers study microbial activity at the bench scale using a variety of approaches, including batch studies, microcosms, and respirometry, amongst others. Respirometers can be used to measure cellular respiration through the growth and/or decay phases of a microbial community by observing substrate consumption and end-product production under controlled conditions1. The results from bench-scale respirometer studies can also be used to estimate biokinetic parameters for process model construction2. Respirometers have been used to examine both aerobic and anaerobic microbial activity; however, studies using respirometry to measure the biomethane potential (BMP), especially of mixed organic substrates, is an area of ongoing research3,4.
Organics in domestic wastewater are recognized as a viable renewable source of chemical energy5. Anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludges (i.e., primary sludge and waste-activated sludges, WAS) has been used to produce methane-rich biogas at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for well over a century6. However, the digestion of multiple organic waste streams, such as food scrap waste with WAS, has become prevalent only in recent years and is still an active area of research. Food scrap waste is a consistent waste stream of high-density organic material in many developed countries, accounting for approximately 25% of landfill mass in the US7. Aside from diverting a portion of food scraps from disposal in landfills, the combination of food scraps and WAS in a co-digestion scenario is advantageous due to the increased volume of biogas produced (relative to a single organic waste stream). Biogas typically contains 60%-70% methane, 30%-40% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases (e.g., hydrogen sulfide)8. The biogas can be cleaned and combusted onsite at WWTPs using a combined heat and power technology to offset some of the electrical and heat energy requirements9.
Several studies have examined the biomethanation potential and biokinetic parameters of anaerobic microbiota co-digesting organic wastes1. Available studies in the literature have used batch assays in serum bottles where methane production is measured at discrete points throughout the experiment, while others have measured methane production using flowmeters connected directly to bench- or pilot-scale bioreactors2,10,11. Continuous measurement of methane production using a respirometer, such as the one described in this protocol, can provide continuous and precise methane measurements from a large number of samples run under a variety of experimental conditions1,12. While several studies have measured methane production from co-digestion of WAS coupled with other organic substrates, such as biowaste, fats, oils, grease, and agricultural wastes10,13,14, significant work remains to identify methane production rates from the large variety of co-digestion scenarios. Further, to date, no available protocol provides an in-depth, step-by-step approach using visual depictions for the measurement of methane production from the co-digestion of food scraps and WAS. Accordingly, this study presents a respirometer protocol to measure methane production and derive biokinetic parameters using a mix of dilute wastewater, WAS, and food scrap waste as substrates. Different food-to-microorganism ratios (F:M) were used to help elucidate changes in methane production. Other measurements include volatile suspended solids (VSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and pH of each sample. This protocol describes respirometer setup, sample creation, and critical measurements.
The methods provided in this protocol can help researchers and practitioners determine the biomethane potential of anaerobically digesting organic waste streams using respirometry. In this protocol, we demonstrate methane generation from co-digestion of a typical food scrap waste stream coupled with WAS from a WWTP over a range of F:M ratios. This protocol adds to the literature by providing a step-by-step respirometry approach for continuous measurement of methane production and determination of biokinetic parameters using first-order kinetic modeling. Several other studies have employed microcosm experiments that measure methane production at discrete points in time10,22, while others have measured methane using flowmeters attached to long-running continuous-flow bench- or pilot-scale bioreactors14,23. Respirometry offers the advantage of measuring methane production on a continuous basis over a variety of experimental conditions. As respirometry experiments do not require the construction of a bioreactor, the experimental conditions can be modified with relative frequency compared to some bench- or pilot-scale experiments. Due to this advantage, respirometry experiments can be used to determine methane production from co-digesting numerous combinations of organic wastes in a relatively short period of time. For example, as a next step to the protocol presented in this study, fats, oils, and grease, which are very dense in chemical energy relative to WAS, could be co-digested with food scraps to quantify likely increases in methane generation over time. The application of this approach can continue to build the body of literature concerning methane generation rates and biokinetic parameters across multiple substrate combinations in co-digestion schemes. Further, in addition to determining optimal substrate combinations, methane production results and biokinetic parameters can be used to inform performance modeling in existing programs, such as those designed for wastewater treatment, or to predict how co-digestion schemes will perform when scaled up from bench or pilot-scale to full-scale24,25.
Additionally, this protocol could be amended to apply a tailored substrate feed for the anaerobic microbial consortium. For example, if a researcher wanted to examine the impacts of providing only carbohydrates or only proteins to anaerobic microbiota, then the feedstock in this protocol could be altered accordingly. Alternatively, if a researcher wanted to test the impact of adding a specific fraction of COD (e.g., only soluble COD, or only particulate COD) or high concentrations of a particular substrate (e.g., acetate, volatile fatty acid, and intermediate product of the anaerobic metabolism) on methane production, a variation of this protocol could be used. An observed best practice when modifying substrate or alternating the F:M of a particular substrate is to maintain the same mass of anaerobic microbiota for each sample while adjusting only the mass of the substrate (mass-to-mass ratios should be employed). In addition to modifying substrates, researchers can use this protocol with other analyses to obtain a better understanding of substrate use and methane production. For example, a researcher could use this protocol in conjunction with microbial community analyses (e.g., 16S rRNA gene sequencing or metagenomics) to better relate community structure to function.
Despite the usefulness of this methodology, there are several limitations. Respirometers and biomethane potential tests are most frequently configured as batch reactors; however, full-scale anaerobic co-digesters are normally operated as continuous flow systems with sludge retention times upwards of 10 days1. Accordingly, the data gleaned from respirometry experiments are useful for estimating methane generation rates and developing biokinetic parameters, but these data should be validated in the field using larger-scale digesters operated over time when feasible.
Additionally, care must be taken in selecting and preparing samples prior to respirometry. Large food scrap particles will skew VSS and COD measurements and can provide inaccurate results. If food scrap waste is used as a substrate, the blend should be well macerated and free of large food particles – an approach akin to maceration at food scrap receiving pits at full-scale digesters. Dilution with DI water can help with the blending process and is similar to the addition of water commonly used when food scraps are macerated at a larger scale. However, every effort should be taken to ensure that dilutions are properly measured and that the target moisture content is achieved. Dilution can readily be a source of error, especially if inexperienced students are executing this protocol.
As the microbial consortia existing in co-digestion contain obligate anaerobes, special care must be taken to eliminate (or greatly reduce) exposure to oxygen during the transfer and sample preparation processes. Oxygen can be removed from sample bottles via nitrogen flushing. Further, if available, the work of transferring anaerobic culture between collection bottles and respirometer sample bottles should be conducted in an anaerobic chamber. As the respirometer provides consistent results (methane production volumes and rates), any deviation from expected results, e.g., an unviable microbial consortium, can be easily identified towards the beginning of the test. The use of a duplicate or triplicate sample can further help identify faulty tests.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
We thank Dr. Jim Young of Respirometer Systems and Applications for the discussion concerning the development of this protocol.
103 °C Oven Isotemp | Fisher Scientific | 13-247-737F | Model: 737F, Force Air Oven |
550 °C Vulcan Oven | Neytech (Manufacturer) / Cole Palmer (Vendor) | 9493308 | Model: 3-550 |
Aerobic/Anaerobic Respirometer | Respirometer System and Applications (RSA) | PF-8000 | Model: PF-8000 |
Analytical Balance | Mettler Toledo | 30029075 | Model: ME204E, Detection Limit: 0.1 mg |
Smoothie Blender with 56 oz Plastic Jar | Hamilton Beach | 50190F | Model: 50190F |
COD Vials TNT Plus Vial Test | HACH | TNT821 | TNT 821, 3–150 mg/L COD |
COD Vials TNT Plus Vial Test | HACH | TNT822 | TNT 822, 20–1500 mg/L COD |
Dessicator | SP Bel-Art | 942070050 | Model: SP Scienceware |
Dionized Water System | Milli-Q | ZIQ7010T0C | IQ 7010 Pure & Ultrapure Water Purification System |
Anhydrous CaSO4 | W.A. Hammond Drierite Company | 13001 | 8 Mesh, 1 lb |
Glass Fiber Filters | Whatman (Manufacturer) / Cole-Parmer (Vendor) | 1827-150 | Model: 934-AH |
Heat Digestor Block | HACH | DRB200-02 | DRB 200 |
Hot Plate Stirrer | Corning | 6795-620D | Model: PC-620D |
Industrial-Grade Nitrogen (Compressed Cylinder) | Air Gas | NI UHP300 | 300 cubic feet |
Pellets (KOH) | Fisher Scientific | AC134062500 | 500 g |
pH Meter | Fisher Scientific | 13-636-AP115 | AP115, Accumet pH meter |
UV Spectrophotometer | HACH | LPV400.99.00012 | DR 3900 |
Vaccum Pump | GAST | 1HAB-25-M100X |