METHANOGENIC FERMENTATION OF FAT-CONTAINING WASTEWATER MEDIATED BY IRON

Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are potential inhibitors of bacteria involved in anaerobic digestion because of their surface activity. Precipitation of long-chain fatty acids with iron can improve the anaerobic degradation due to their precipitation and reducing surface properties. Degradation of stearic acid was improved in the presence of iron (II). The methane production was increased 1.6 times as compared to control. Iron-containing soil was applied for degradation of vegetable oil as model case. The methane production was increased 1.5 times as compared to control. Yield of methane production was 0.09 and 0.06L/g COD in experiment and control respectively. Optimum COD/Fe ratio was found 20 mg/mg. Iron (II) can be produced in the treatment system from iron (III) hydroxide or iron containing minerals.