Maximizing the production of butyric acid from food waste as a precursor for ABE-fermentation

The current study reports on the maximization of butyric acid production from food waste using a mixed microbial fermentation. In semi-continuous fermentations the effect of three different pH values (5.5, 7.0 and 9.0), three different temperatures (37°C, 55°C and 70°C) and two levels of hydraulic r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2017-11, Vol.598, p.993-1000
Main Authors: Stein, Ullrich Heinz, Wimmer, B., Ortner, M., Fuchs, W., Bochmann, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidogenesis
Hydraulic retention time
Temperature
Volatile fatty acids
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Summary:The current study reports on the maximization of butyric acid production from food waste using a mixed microbial fermentation. In semi-continuous fermentations the effect of three different pH values (5.5, 7.0 and 9.0), three different temperatures (37°C, 55°C and 70°C) and two levels of hydraulic retention time (HRT, 2days and 6days) on the formation of butyric acid as well as total volatile fatty acid production (tVFA) were investigated. Overall, pH5.5 provided the lowest butyric acid concentrations regardless of the temperature and the HRT. At mesophilic temperature (37°C) alkaline conditions (pH9.0) lead to a strong incline of tVFA as well as butyric acid concentration probably due to a decreased solubilization of the substrate. However, most efficient in terms of butyric acid production was the fermentation conducted at 55°C and pH7 where a butyric acid concentrations of 10.55g/L (HRT 2days) and 13.00g/L (HRT 6days) were achieved. Additional experiments at 70°C showed declining butyric acid production. Increase of the HRT from 2days to 6days provided an increment of butyric acid concentration throughout almost all experimental settings. However, regarding volumetric productivity the increase in concentration does not compensate for the bigger reactor volume required to establish a higher HRT. At pH7 and 55°C the resulting volumetric production rates were 5.27g/L∗d at a HRT 2days and only 2.17g/L∗d at a HRT of 6days. [Display omitted] •At mesophilic conditions and pH9.0 total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) production is increased.•Thermophilic conditions at neutral pH show the highest butyric acid production and share of tVFA.•Volumetric productivity is increased at HRTs of 2days.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.139