Exploring the Possibility to Shorten the Duration and Reduce the Number of Replicates in Biomethane Potential Tests (BMP)

Abstract Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests are the most reliable method for direct evaluation of yield from a specific feedstock in anaerobic digestion. However, these time-consuming (about 1 month) and quite expensive (need no less than two or three replicates). This study evaluates accuracy “first-order kinetic”, “logistic” “Gompertz” models predicting BMP values, calibrating models’ parameters with data collected shorter (i.e., 5, 7, 10, 14 21 days) usually (28 days more). Moreover, influence number replicates three) on model prediction was also evaluated. A database 32 tests, previously carried out different substrates, adopted evaluations. The test duration significantly influences (Gompertz first-order kinetic), while is influencing. ultimate production not accurate if use short (less 10 tests. increase to gives predictions errors below 10% Gompertz logistic models. Graphical