ABSTRACT
Of the many options available for the management of wastes from all sectors of society, anaerobic biological treatment with concomitant production of methane has distinct advantages over many other processes. Recognition of these advantages has resulted in a broadening application and use of anaerobic treatment processes throughout the world. Some fundamental concepts, mechanisms, and kinetics are presented that are common to the development and control of most process applications and which have led to opportunities for process optimization and innovation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have also been used to study the microbial composition and structure of biomass granules, with Methanothrix-type acetate-utilizing methanogens normally dominating. Monitoring of pH, either internal or external to the anaerobic microbial treatment process, can be used as a control technique, and methods are available to provide appropriate pH adjustments or buffer capacity as required. Gas phase monitoring is used for assessing the efficiency and state of anaerobic microbial stabilization processes.
