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Biodegradation of Fresh vs. Oven-Dried Inedible Crop Residue in a Continuously Stirred Tank ReactorThe degradation of soluble organics and mineral recovery from fresh and oven-dried biomass were compared in an Intermediate-Scale Aerobic Bioreactor (8 L working volume) to determine if drying crop residue improves performance in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The study was conducted in an Intermediate-Scale Aerobic Bioreactor (ISAB) CSTR with dimensions of 390 mm height x 204 mm diameter. The pH in the bioreactor was controlled at 6.0, temperature at 30 C, and aeration at 7.0 L/min. Gases monitored were CO2 evolution and dissolved oxygen. Homogeneously mixed wheat cultures, used either fresh or oven-dried biomass and were leached, then placed in the ISAB for a 4-day degradation period. Studies found that mineral recovery was greater for leached oven-dried crop residue. However, after activity by the mixed microbial communities in the ISAB CSTR, there were little notable differences in the measured mineral recovery and degradation of soluble organic compounds. Degradation of soluble organic compounds was also shown to improve for leached oven-dried crop residue, but after mixing in the CSTR the degradation of the fresh biomass seemed to be slightly greater. Time for the biomass to turn in the CSTR appeared to be one factor for the experimental differences between the fresh and oven-dried biomass. Other factors, although not as defined, were the differing physical structures in the cell walls and varying microbial components of the fresh and oven-dried treatments due to changes in chemical composition after drying of the biomass.
Document ID
20000032197
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Crawford, Kamau
(Tuskegee Inst. AL United States)
Strayer, Richard
(Tuskegee Inst. AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 22, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: NASA University Research Centers Technical Advances in Aeronautics, Space Sciences and Technology, Earth Systems Sciences, Global Hydrology, and Education
Volume: 2 and 3
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC9-51
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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