A straightforward method: Biochemical methane potential assay

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays provide a realistic estimate of methane production from the anaerobic digestibility of a given substrate. The information provided by BMP is valuable when planning the optimal conditions for anaerobic digestion and designing the anaerobic digesters. Therefore recognized and accredited BMP assays will help us to compare the different literature results. The effects of headspace pressure in BMP bottle, nutrient addition, pH adjustment, N₂/CO₂ purging, measurement increments, and mixing were investigated by using 27 differently configured reactors. The results indicated that the biogas production was positively affected under low headspace pressure and lesser measurement increments, but the other modifications did not create significant variations.