title: Innovative test method for the estimation of the foaming tendency of substrates for biogas plants.
abstract: Excessive foaming in anaerobic digestion occurs at many biogas plants and can cause problems including plugged gas pipes. Unfortunately, the majority of biogas plant operators are unable to identify the causes of foaming in their biogas reactor. The occurrence of foaming is often related to the chemical composition of substrates fed to the reactor. The consistency of the digestate itself is also a crucial part of the foam formation process. Thus, no specific recommendations concerning substrates can be given in order to prevent foam formation in biogas plants. The safest way to avoid foaming is to test the foaming tendency of substrates on-site. A possible solution is offered by an innovative foaming test. With the help of this tool, biogas plant operators can evaluate the foaming disposition of new substrates prior to use in order to adjust the composition of substrate mixes.
authors: UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: lucie.moeller@ufz.de.
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Moeller
authors: Eismann & Stöbe GbR, GeoPark, Geb. A12, Bautzner Strasse 67, 04347 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: info@antoc.de.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Eismann
authors: University of Hohenheim, State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy (LA740), Garbenstrasse 9, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: d.s.wissmann@gmx.de.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Wißmann
authors: University of Hohenheim, State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy (LA740), Garbenstrasse 9, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: hajo.naegele@uni-hohenheim.de.
authors: Hans-Joachim
authors: HJ
authors: Nägele
authors: University of Hohenheim, State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy (LA740), Garbenstrasse 9, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: simon.zielonka@uni-hohenheim.de.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Zielonka
authors: UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: roland.mueller@ufz.de.
authors: Roland A
authors: RA
authors: Müller
authors: UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: andreas.zehnsdorf@ufz.de.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Zehnsdorf
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D019149:Bioreactors; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels
keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Biogas; Foam formation; Leipzig foam tester; Process upsets