• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2008

In this work, it was investigated that various aspects of process, application situation, merits and short-coming results of the thermophilic methane fermentation with highly concentrated organic waste substances such as sewage sludges, food wastes and excretions. The merits of this methane fermentation were that it had a very fast reaction rate and was possible to proceed in high loads. It was also high in mortality for pathogenic microorganism and the digested sludge was more hygienic. However, the short-comings were that more energy was required for heating in the fermentation facility, no surplus energy could be gained from low concentration of organic waste, the fermentation treatment dropped level of water quality, thus burdens discharging process of water. Especially, the high concentration of methane fermentation could possibly lack nutritious salt and could face the disturbance by ${NH_4}^+-N$, a proper alternative was required. In general, thermophilic methane fermentation was considered as a better mean in disposing of cow excretion and food waste which were highly concentrated organic wastes. On the other hand, under the condition where the concentration of waste material was low and the high concentrate waste material became higher than 3,000 mg/L in ${NH_4}^+-N$, thermophilic methane fermentation resulted less desirable outcome.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1255-1263
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• 2012

Batch cultivations were performed to evaluate the influences of the initial pH condition on mesophilic and thermophilic acidogenic fermentation with food waste recycling wastewater. In both conditions of mesophilic and thermophilic fermentation, TVFAs production rates were maximized at the initial pH 7 condition as 0.15 and 0.23 g TVFAs/L hr, respectively. And pH was also maintained stably between 6 and 7 during 72hr acidogenic cultivation at both conditions. However, predominant VFA components were different according to reaction temperature conditions. In mesophilic condition, propionic acid which has low conversion efficiency to methane was accumulated up to 1,348 mg/L while acetic and butyric acid were predominant in thermophilic condition. Therefore, thermophilic acidogenic fermentation was superior for the effective VFAs production than mesophilic condition. From the DGGE analysis, the band patterns were different according to the initial pH conditions but the correlations of the each band were increased in similar pH conditions. These results mean that microbial communities were certainly affected by the initial pH condition. Consequently, the adjustment of the initial pH to neutral region and thermophilic operation are needed to enhance acidogenic fermentation of food waste recycling wastewater.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.897-905
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• 2006

This study has been conducted to investigate biodegradation characteristics and optimum mixing ratio for co-digestion with thermophilic acid-fermented food waste and sewage sludge using batch anaerobic digester. As the basis operating conditions for anaerobic digestion, the reaction temperature was controlled $35{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and stirrer was set 70rpm. Thermophilic acid-fermented food waste and sewage sludge were mixed at the ratio of 10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 0:10 and 5;5(food waste : sewage sludge) as the influent substrates. In results of co-digestion according to mixing ratio of thermophilic fermented food wastes and sewage sludge in batch mesophilic anaerobic digestion reactor, $385mL\;CH_4/g\;VS_{added}$ of methane production rate at 1:1 mixing ratio was more than that of any other mixing ratios. Compared with $293mL\;CH_4/g\;VS_{added}$ of methane production rate at 1:1 mixing ratio of food wastes and sewage sludge, pretreatment of food wastes by thermophilic acid fermentation was more effective in co-digestion with sewage sludge.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 1986

Conversion of anaerobic mesophilic digestion to thermophilic range has been investigated using a synthetic sludge. When temperature was raised at a rate of 2, 1, and $0.5^{\circ}C$ per day with continuous feeding, a lower reaction rate was observed with a high rate of temperature change. Although methane fermentation ceased completely for an digesters at thermophilic temperature, acid fermentation continued. Methane fermentation was never achieved even with neutralization during 6 months of resting. The methane formers were completely inactivated by the temperature shock and accumulation of volatile acids due to continuous feeding, while the acid formers lost biological activity quickly, but gradually acclimated to a high temperature. When temperature was raised without feeding, successful thermophilic digestion was achieved with 1 day of resting at thermophilic temperature at a rate of $1^{\circ}C$ per day, and also achieved with 20 days of resting at a direct increase. Conversion to a thermophilic range is easily achieved with resting. A short period of resting is required at a low rate of temperature increase, while a long period of resting enough to balance methane formers with acid fermers makes a conversion possile when temperature is raised at a high rate. Soured thermophilic digesters were recovered after seeding of mesophilic sludges, and sludge seeding could be a good method of start-up, conversion, or recovery of a thermophilic digester. Significant amount of thermophiles seemed to be present in the mesophilic digesters.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.59-67
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• 1988

Anaerobic digestion at the temperature of $35-55^{\circ}C$ was conducted using an artificial sludge of uniform composition. The hydraulic retention time of 5 days was chosen because the temperature effect was effectively shown at a high loading. Inhibition of the methane fermentation decreased as the temperature increased. Acid fermentation was prevalent at the mesophilic and intermediate temperatures, while active methane fermentation took place at $55^{\circ}C$. Temperature not only affects activity of the microorganisms, but also affects physical and chemical properties of the sludge, Digestion inhibition was much reduced when the feed sludge was diluted, and active methane fermentation was possible at all temperatures. The digestion efficiency was governed by the organic loading rate as well as the hydraulic 10ading rate. No reduction of the digestion efficiency at $40-45^{\circ}C$, which had been referred to a critical temperature range, was observed. The digestion efficiency increased monotonically from mesophilic to thermophilic range. Improved settling properties of digested sludge was also recorded at higher temperatures.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2006

This study has been conducted for the process of food wastes disposal using surplus capacity of established sewage treatment plant by co-digestion of fermented food wastes and sewage sludge after thermophilic acid fermentation of food wastes. The co-digestion of thermophilic acid fermented food wastes and sewage sludge was performed by semi-continous method in mesophilic anaerobic digestion reactor. It showed great digestion efficiency as the average SCOD and VS removal efficiency in organic loading rate 3.30g VS/L.d. were 74.2% and 73.6%, and the gas production rate and average methane content were 0.440 L/g $VS_{add}.d$ and 66.5%, respectively. Based on the results of this study, the co-digestion of thermophilic acid fermented food wastes and sewage sludge in sewage treatment plant is able to improve treatment efficiency of anaerobic digestion reactor and to dispose food wastes simultaneously, and was proved excellent economical efficiency comparing with any other treatment methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2012

Several acidogenesis batch tests, and BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) with food waste leachate was tested at various organic loading rates (OLRs) on the mesophilic ($35^{\circ}C$) and thermophilic ($55^{\circ}C$) conditions. In acidogenesis batch test, VS removal efficiencies were 27.3% and 30.6% at $35^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. Removal efficiency of VS at $55^{\circ}C$ was higher than that at $35^{\circ}C$. With decrease in VS, SCOD increased as reaction time increased. Solubilization efficiency of VS were 27.4% and 33.4% at each reaction temperature within 4 days acid fermentation. Methane yield were 461 and 413 $mLCH_4/gVS$ at mesophilic and thermophilic BMP test, respectively. SCOD solubilizations in the themophilic acid fermenter showed 8~17% higher than those in the mesophilic fermenter. COD removal efficiency showed higher in the mesophilic acid fermenter at low organic loading rate. While at high organic loading rate, it was higher in the thermophilic acid fermenter. VS removal efficiency was higher at the mesophilic temperature, however, it decreased at OLR higher than 6 kg $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$. On the contrary, VS removal efficiency did not decrease but maintain at thermophilic temperature. The amount of methane gas generated from mesophilic methanogenesis digester was 12.6, 21.6, 27.4 L/day at OLR of 4, 5, 6 $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$, respectively. The amount of methane gas generated from themophilic methanogenesis digester was 14.3, 20.6, 25.2 L/day at each OLR, respectively, which is about 15~20 L/day lower than those generated at mesophilic digester.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1997

An attempt was made to enhance anaerobic treatment efficiency by adopting the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor(ASBR) process at a thermophilic temperature. Operational characteristics of the ASBR process were studied using laboratory scale reactors and concentrated organic wastewater composed of soluble starch and essential nutrients. Effects of fill to react ratio (F/R) were examined in the Phase I experiment, where the equivalent hydraulic retention time(HRT) was maintained at 5 days with the influent COD of 10g/L. A continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR) was operated in parallel as a reference. Treatment efficiency was higher for the ASBRs because of continuous accumulation of volatile suspended solids(VSS) compared to the CSTR. However, the rate of gas production and organic removal per unit VSS in the ASBRs was much lower than the CSTR. This was caused by reduced methane fermentation due to accumulation of volatile acids(VA), especially for the case of low F/R, during the fill period. When the F/R was high, maximum VA was low and the VA decreased in short period. Consequently, more stable operation was possible with higher F/R. Effects of hydraulic loading rate on the efficiency was studied in the Phase II experiment, where the organic loading rate was elevated to 3333mg/L-d with the F/R of 0.12. Reduction of organic removal along with rapid increase of VA was observed and the stability of reaction was seriously impaired, when the influent COD was doubled. However, operation of the ASBR was quite stable, when the hydraulic loading rate was doubled and a cycle time was adjusted to 12 hour. It is essential to avoid rapid accumulation of VA during the fill period in order to maintain operational stability of the ASBR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1199-1208
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• 2005

Abatement of greenhouse gas emitted from ruminants and promotion of biogas energy from animal effluent were comprehensively examined in each anaerobic fermentation reactor and animal experiments. Moreover, the energy conversion efficiency of biomass energy to power generation were evaluated with a gas engine generator or proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To mitigate safely rumen methanogenesis with nutritional manipulation the suppressing effects of some strains of lactic acid bacteria and yeast, bacteriocin, $\beta$1-4 galactooligosaccharide, plant extracts (Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponarea), L-cysteine and/or nitrate on rumen methane emission were compared with antibiotics. For in vitro trials, cumulative methane production was evaluated using the continuous fermented gas qualification system inoculated with the strained rumen fluid from rumen fistulated Holstein cows. For in vivo, four sequential ventilated head cages equipped with a fully automated gas analyzing system were used to examine the manipulating effects of $\beta$1-4 galactooligosaccharide, lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides), yeast (Trichosporon serticeum), nisin and Yucca schidigera and/or nitrate on rumen methanogenesis. Furthermore, biogas energy recycled from animal effluent was evaluated with anaerobic bioreactors. Utilization of recycled energy as fuel for a co-generator and fuel cell was tested in the thermophilic biogas plant system. From the results of in vitro and in vivo trials, nitrate was shown to be a strong methane suppressor, although nitrate per se is hazardous. L-cysteine could remove this risk. $\beta$1-4 galactooligosaccharide, Candida kefyr, nisin, Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponarea are thought to possibly control methanogenesis in the rumen. It is possible to simulate the available energy recycled through animal effluent from feed energy resources by making total energy balance sheets of the process from feed energy to recycled energy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.439-446
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• 2014

Many studies on methane ($CH_4$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions from livestock industries have revealed that livestock production directly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through enteric fermentation and manure management, which causes negative impacts on animal environment sustainability. In the present study, three essential values for GHG emission were measured; i.e., i) maximum $CH_4$ producing capacity at mesophilic temperature ($37^{\circ}C$) from anaerobically stored manure in livestock category ($B_{0,KM}$, Korean livestock manure for $B_0$), ii) $EF_{3(s)}$ value representing an emission factor for direct $N_2O$ emissions from manure management system S in the country, kg $N_2O-N$ kg $N^{-1}$, at mesophilic ($37^{\circ}C$) and thermophilic ($55^{\circ}C$) temperatures, and iii) $N_{ex(T)}$ emissions showing annual N excretion for livestock category T, kg N $animal^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$, from different livestock manure. Static incubation with and without aeration was performed to obtain the $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ emissions from each sample, respectively. Chemical compositions of pre- and post- incubated manure were analyzed. Contents of total solids (% TS) and volatile solid (% VS), and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) decrease significantly in all the samples by C-containing biogas generation, whereas moisture content (%) and pH increased after incubation. A big difference of total nitrogen content was not observed in pre- and post-incubation during $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ emissions. $CH_4$ emissions (g $CH_4$ kg VS-1) from all the three manures (sows, layers and Korean cattle) were different and high C/N ratio resulted in high $CH_4$ emission. Similarly, $N_2O$ emission was found to be affected by % VS, pH, and temperature. The $B_{0,KM}$ values for sows, layers, and Korean cattle obtained at $37^{\circ}C$ are 0.0579, 0.0006, and 0.0828 $m^3$ $CH_4$ kg $VS^{-1}$, respectively, which are much less than the default values in IPCC guideline (GL) except the value from Korean cattle. For sows and Korean cattle, $N_{ex(T)}$ values of 7.67 and 28.19 kg N $yr^{-1}$, respectively, are 2.5 fold less than those values in IPCC GL as well. However, $N_{ex(T)}$ value of layers 0.63 kg N $yr^{-1}$ is very similar to the default value of 0.6 kg N $yr^{-1}$ in IPCC GLs for National greenhouse gas inventories for countries such as South Korea/Asia. The $EF_{3(s)}$ value obtained at $37^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$ were found to be far less than the default value.