Steady-state analysis of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1)

The steady-state behavior of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) with respect to dilution rate and substrate concentration is analyzed in this study. Thereby, up to ten coexisting steady-state solutions are observed under the same operating conditions. The parameter region of a methane producing operation is limited regarding high dilution rates as well as low or high substrate concentrations. The underlying mechanisms causing those limits are investigated in detail, and the common core is identified, namely a positive feedback loop between growth of acetate degraders and acetate itself. The difference lies in the activation mechanisms of this feedback loop, which differs in the three investigated cases. The comparison of the present results with literature studies of simpler two-step models reveals qualitative differences regarding the substrate concentration. Therefore, an alternative simplified model is suggested, which shows qualitatively the same bifurcation behavior as the ADM1 considering variation of the substrate concentration.