Closing the Gap Between Laboratory BMP Tests and Full-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Performance

Abstract

BMP tests measure the production of gas by different organic substances and are also used in full-scale design. On the other hand, methane output can take a significantly different turn. This can be attributed to differences in the experiments, the heterogeneity between substrates and inoculum used, and such unnoticeable details as reaction rates. In order to develop a relationship between laboratory BMP and full-scale methane production, the authors investigated 14 substrates, including food waste and agricultural residues. The authors explain in detail the following five aspects: total solids and volatile solids content of raw material, laboratory BMP observed values, a scientific explanation of the various issues, and finally, factor deviation for BMP at full-scale problems. The results shown here suggest that although laboratory BMPs are correlated with the methane output in scaled systems, they are also subject to strain. At the same time, the extent of these deviations, which amount to 13-26% across all substrates investigated, depends on the specifics of each substrate for biodegradation and construction type. The efficient nature of highly bio-reactive substrates means a reduced deviation, while lignocellulosic feedstocks of this kind are characterized by greater losses. Overall, BMP data tends to overestimate the capacities of industrial facilities, allowing these to produce methane from anaerobic digestion.