THERMODYNAMICS OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: MECHANISM OF SUPPRESSION ON BIOGAS PRODUCTION DURING ACIDOGENESIS

Anaerobic digestion process consists of several stages in which different type of microorganisms are involved. The current study reviews some possible reactions occurred in anaerobic digestion particularly in acidogenesis stage. The paper also reviews the mechanisms of suppression and inhibition of anaerobic digestion in relation to some possible thermodynamic reactions during acidogenesis phase. Results of the study showed that ethanol and lactic acid are intermediate products that could potentially be produced during the anaerobic acid stage fermentation. Thus, those products should be carefully managed due to their acid effects in order to avoid the failure of anaerobic digestion.