Biogas Production Performance Based on Carbon Number and Double Bond Count of Long-chain Fatty Acids

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the high-efficiency anaerobic digestion of organic wastes with high fat content. Specifically, the analysis focused on biogas production performance with a focus on carbon number and the double bond count of the long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), which are hydrolysis products of triglycerides. Methods: Experiments were performed under mesophilic anaerobic conditions with a feed-to-microorganism ratio (F/M) of 1.0. Biogas production performance was analyzed through biogas production patterns, lag-phase, and the time required for 90% biogas production (T90). Results: Biogas production increased when the content of unsaturated LCFAs (containing relatively large numbers of carbon atoms) increased. In substrate containing LCFAs with four or more double bonds, although the initial lag-phase in biogas production was shortened, development of a three-step lag-phase resulted in decreased biogas production. These results suggest that high rates of anaerobic digestion are possible when the LCFAs have high unsaturated fatty acid content with three or fewer double bonds. Conclusions: When various types of LCFAs are digested anaerobically, biogas production performance can be improved if the unsaturated fatty acid content and number of double bonds are optimized for maximum production.