Metabolic mechanisms of carbon and nitrogen interactions during anaerobic digestion of coal

Abstract

There was limited research on the impact of nitrogen metabolism in the process of methane production with coal, even if carbon and nitrogen metabolism were closely interconnected. Lignite was the source of carbon and nitrogen in anaerobic digestion system. The relationship between carbon and nitrogen metabolism was systematically discussed during the anaerobic digestion process. The results showed that phenolic carbon or ether carbon (C-O), pyridine-type nitrogen (N-6) and nitrogen oxide compound (N-X) in coal were decomposed under the action of Macellibacteroides, Sphaerochaeta and Trichococcus in the hydrolysis stage, respectively. In the acidogenesis stage, the stress of volatile fatty acids and ammonia produced by dissolved organic matter under the action of Syner-01 and Sphaerochaeta on hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens was alleviated during the nitrogen cycle. In the acetogenesis stage, acetic acid produced from the decomposition of organic acids and alcohols by Synergistaceae and Sedimentibacter was competed by denitrifying bacteria and acetogenic methanogens. In the methanogenesis stage, CO2 was reduced by Methanobacterium and Methanoculleus to produce CH4, while acetic acid was decomposed by Methanosaeta to produce CH4. And methyl substances were generated into CH4 by Methanosarcina and Methanofastidiosum. This understanding will provide a basis for strengthening the favorable factors in biomethane production.