Methane production in anaerobic sludges supplemented with two support materials and different levels of acetate and sulphate

The influence of two support materials, diabase and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), on the methanogenesis from anaerobic sludges supplemented with different concentrations of acetate and sulphate was evaluated by applying a mathematical model according to the response surface technique. The results obtained suggest that the addition of both support materials did not exert significant effects on the methanogenesis From domestic sludges. The best conditions to produce methane were obtained with the lowest concentration of sulphate (1 mM) and with the highest concentrations of acetate (75-100 mM). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.