Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/2192-0567-2-12
Title (Primary) Comparative review of foam formation in biogas plants and ruminant bloat
Author Moeller, L.; Görsch, K.; Neuhaus, J.; Zehnsdorf, A.; Müller, R.A.
Source Titel Energy, Sustainability and Society
Year 2012
Department UBZ
Volume 2
Page From art. 12
Language englisch
Keywords Foam formation; Biogas plants; Renewable resources; Biological wastes; Causes; Treatment; Prevention; Bloat
Abstract This review gives an overview of the current knowledge concerning the problem of foam formation in the process of anaerobic digestion in biogas plants that utilize renewable resources or biogenic waste material for biogas production. Process upsets in biogas production induced by foam formation can have a negative impact on the efficiency of biogas plants. The foam can block gas pipes and cause severe damage to the bioreactor equipment, ranging from a failure of the feeders to a damage of the roof of the biogas plant. The most common foam removal methods - stirring in the foam, adding anti-foaming agents, diminishing substrate feeding, and altering the biogas reactor management - are not always successful. However, the reasons for the excessive foam formation during the biogas production process have not yet been elucidated in detail. In contrast, foam building in the rumen of ruminants as a cause for bloat has been studied thoroughly. In general, the interaction between proteins, polysaccharides (mucilage), and small plant particles is assumed to be the crucial factor. As the fermentation process in the rumen has many similarities with the biogas production process, the current research results on bloat in ruminants are summarized and compared with the process of foaming in biogas plants.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12856
Moeller, L., Görsch, K., Neuhaus, J., Zehnsdorf, A., Müller, R.A. (2012):
Comparative review of foam formation in biogas plants and ruminant bloat
Energy Sustain. Soc. 2 , art. 12 10.1186/2192-0567-2-12