STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE USE OF A MIXED INOCULUM ON THE METHANE YIELD IN ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PROCESS

Abstract

Batch experiments were conducted to study the impact of the use of a mixed
inoculum on the methane yield for wet, mesophilic, discontinuous anaerobic
digestion of food waste. Three different inocula were used: cow rumen, AD (anerobic
digestion) sludge and UASB (Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) sludge. The results
indicated that the use of a mixed inoculum does not lead to any improvements in the
methane yield. On the contrary, the yield decreases and the kinetic of the reaction
slows down. The best-performing inoculum is AD sludge, while cow rumen and
UASB sludge appear to be inadequate choices of inoculum for food waste AD.