Volatile methyl siloxanes(here after VMSs) of trace impurities in biogas have been recognized to form silica scale on the surface of biogas utilization equipment through combustion. The silica scale causes damages such as corrosion, abrasion of surface, and lower energy output. VMSs have been reported to be the metabolic products of polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), which are silicon-based organic polymers. PDMS are used in industrial applications and household goods such as dry cleaning solvent, shampoo, and cosmetics. Being chemically stable, high molecular and viscosity, and hydrophobic, PDMS can be released to the environment from sewage and wastewater. VMSs degradeted from PDMS have variable types of compounds and include mainly D4 and D5 ranged from 11~34 mg/m3 and 10~20 mg/m3, respectively. The environmental fate and degradation of PDMS and occurrence of VMSs have been poorly examined. Thus the researches on biodegradation of PDMS should be needed for the further works.This study was investigated to understand pathways of VMSs production from sewage sludge in the anaerobic condition. For this purpose, we performed the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test with a 125 mL serum bottle, in which sewage sludge and PDMS(up to 25,000 g/mole of molecular weight) were applied. All experiments were maintained at 36�C. Headspace gas of the test bottles was sampled to be analyzed by gas chromatography to identify the temporal variation of VMSs, methane, and CO2. Besides the gas analysis, dehydrogenase analysis was conducted to verify microbial activity and polymerase chain reaction with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to ensure the bacterial populations. The detailed results will be presented at the conference.

Metabolic production of volatile methyl siloxanes in anaerobic sewage sludge digestion

248th National Meeting (2014)

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