Influence of hydrolysis on the efficiency of the methane fermentation process 

Hydrolysis is the first step in the decomposition of complex organic compounds in the process of methane fermentation. It is carried out by hydrolytic bacteria using extracellular enzymes, as a result of which the products of this process are organic compounds with a simpler chemical structure, from which organic acids are formed in the next phase of anaerobic transformations by the next group of acidogenic bacteria. Different groups of complex organic compounds undergo hydrolytic transformations at different rates, and for this reason, the need and sense of using a separate chamber to conduct this process in the sewage treatment plant must be taken into account. Complex organic compounds in industrial wastewater can be present in dissolved form as well as in the form of suspensions. Complex compounds in dissolved form are subject to the action of hydrolytic bacteria much faster than compounds contained in suspensions. The hydrolysis process also includes the decomposition of suspensions and converting them into dissolved compounds.

Based on the characteristics of industrial wastewater and the determination of their degree of contamination and the dominant groups of organic compounds, i.e. carbohydrates, proteins and fats, it is possible to determine the desirability of using a separate hydrolysis chamber in the technological system. It is known that the rate of hydrolysis does not depend on the degree of concentration of these compounds in the wastewater, because it proceeds at a constant rate for specific organic compounds.

What are the effects of introducing a hydrolyzer to the technological system?

The result is a significant intensification of the methane fermentation process consisting in shortening the fermentation time, which makes it possible to purify a larger load of pollutants. Our research shows that it is possible to achieve up to 30% increased purification efficiency in the fermenter.In addition, the hydrolyzer functions in a sense as a retention tank in which the level of pollutants in the wastewater can be averaged.