Batch assays were performed with samples from a silage-fed mesophilic
biogas process accumulating acetate to examine if the addition of sing
le trace elements (iron, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum) or a mixture o
f trace elements could improve the process. The results from the batch
assays led to the addition of cobalt to reach a concentration of 0.2
mg L-1. This made it possible to increase the organic loading rate (OL
R) above that in a parallel process not receiving any extra cobalt. Pr
oblems with low gas production and decreasing pH were overcome by the
daily supply of this single element in small amounts. Acetate conversi
on to methane was improved, which was confirmed by increased specific
methanogenic activity (SMA) with acetate as a substrate. As a conseque
nce, an OLR of 7.0 g VS L-1 day(-1) was achieved at a hydraulic retent
ion time (HRT) of 20 days with an equivalent increase in methane produ
ction. Without cobalt addition, an OLR of 5.0 g VS L-1 day(-1) with an
HRT of 20 days was reached after 70 weeks operation. Copyright (C) 19
97 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.