Anaerobic batch degradation of solid poultry slaughterhouse waste

We studied anaerobic batch degradation of solid poultry slaughterhouse wast es with different initial waste and inoculum concentrations and waste-to-in oculum ratios and simulated the dynamics of the process with a new generati on < METHANE > model. Our modelling results suggest that inhibited propiona te degradation by long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and inhibited hydrolysis by a high propionate concentration constituted the rate-limiting step in the waste degradation. Palmitate was the most abundant LCFA in the assays. With in 27 days of incubation, up to 0.55 to 0.67 m(3) of methane (STP)/kg VS ad ded was produced under the studied conditions. Lower waste-to-inoculum rati os exhibited a faster onset and rate of specific methane production. In all the assays, ammonification occurred within 3 to 6 days and accounted for 5 0 to 60% of total nitrogen.