Activated alumina enhanced biogas production from corn straw hydrolysate

The effects of the activated alumina on biogas production from corn straw hydrolysate were investigated in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). The biogas fermentation was initiated by inoculation of the mixture of activated alumina and sludge (1 to 19 ratios) into the UASB, and operated at 37 for two month. The results showed that the activated alumina enabled 10 days earlier (10 days vs 20 days) of the start-up period for maximum methane production, and increased the methane content of the biogas produced by 23% (86% vs 70%) when compared to those of the control With the added activated alumina, the biogas fermentation of corn straw hydrolysate achieved chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate, organic load rate (OLR), methane yield, and the percentage of methane in the biogas produced by 82.3%, 15.01 g/L d COD, 304 ml CH4/g COD, and 86%, respectively.