The Effect of Ammonia Toxicity on Methane Production of a Full-Scale Biogas Plant—An Estimation Method

Ammonia accumulation in biogas plants reactors is becoming more frequently encountered, resulting reduced methane (CH4) production. toxicity occurs when N-rich substrates represent a significant part of the plant’s feedstock. The aim this study was to develop an estimation method for effect ammonia on CH4 production plants. Two periods where plant operated at 3200 mg·L−1 (1st period) and 4400 (2nd ammonium nitrogen (NH4+–N) were examined. Biomethane potentials (BMPs) individual collected during these mixture with weight ratio used by under different levels (2000–5200 NH4+–N) determined. calculated from substrates’ BMPs quantities each substrate compared actual on-site. Biogas 9.9% lower 1st 20.3% 2nd period comparison BMP production, which 3% 14% due toxicity, respectively. mixtures showed that reduction rate could be approximately estimated concentrations levels.