RESEARCH AREA 1: DIGESTER SURVEY AND MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE

Principal investigator: Jeppe Lund Nielsen (Section of Biotechnology, AAU)

Aim: To identify microbial communities in biogas plants operated on different types of waste including their microbial and functional stability.

Deliverables: Optimized methods for community analyses in biogas plants, correlations between microbial community structure, reactor design and operation, and identification of plants for deeper analysis of population-related operational problems, e.g. foaming or low methane yield.

RESEARCH AREA 2: NOVEL MICROBIOLOGY PLATFORM

Principal investigator: Per Halkjær Nielsen (Section of Biotechnology, AAU)

Aim: 1)To establish a genome catalogue of relevant AD communities, create a platform of metabolic models of their function, test the models for key microorganisms by detailed studies of activity, physiology and ecology, and 2) to develop and apply a novel method for species-specific detection of methane production.

Deliverables: Genomes from relevant uncultivated microorganisms in the different digester types, development of metabolic models for these, experimental validation of some of these, increased understanding of their function and the food webs in different types of digesters, and a novel method for species-specific detection of methane production. 

RESEARCH AREA 3: OPTIMIZATION OF METHANE PRODUCTION FROM ANIMAL MANURE

Principal investigator: Henrik B. Møller (Department of Engineering - BCE Bioenergy, AU)

Aim: To develop the most promising pre-treatment technologies that can increase the biogas yield from agricultural by-products with focus on fiber rich solid fractions and to manipulate the microbial consortia and aligning pre-treatment to maximize synergy within the microbial consortia.

Deliverables: Guidelines for improved pre-treatment of fiber rich solid manure, identification of indicator species correlating with improved conversions, test of enzymes and species for bioaugmentation, and online NIRS for improved operational control.

RESEARCH AREA 4: OPTIMIZATION OF METHANE PRODUCTION FROM SLUDGE FROM WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

Principal investigator: Henrik B. Møller (Department of Engineering - BCE Bioenergy, AU)

Aim: The objective is to optimize biogas production from wastewater treatment plants by optimal pre-treatment methods and/or addition of other sources such as food waste.

Deliverables: Guidelines for improved pre-treatment for surplus activated sludge and food waste, identification of indicator species correlating with improved conversions, and online using NIRS/STAR for improved operational control.