Study of the methane potential of biogas and the anaerobic bio deterioration

The bio-degradation is estimated from the production of methane biogas obtained during the test compared to the theoretical maximum production. The protocol is based on the measurement of the methane (biogas) production in an enclosed reactor in which a determined quantity of the sample to test is put into contact with a determined quantity of anaerobic micro-organisms (bacteria), the latter being placed under favourable conditions for degradation of the sample.

A cold witness with inoculum and without sample measures the intrinsic activity of the bacteria of the inoculum i.e. the quantity of methane produced without adding the sample. A hot witness with inoculum and ethanol makes sure that the bacteria are active. The protocol was developed on the standard ISO 11734.