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It is well known that the methanogens are the most active in the pH range of 6.5-8.0, whereas the optimal pH range for acid producing bacteria is 5.0-6.0 (Haandel and Lettinga, 1994). If pH of the reactor is beyond the range of 6.0-8.0, methanogenic activity is hindered and it subsequently results in reduced performance of the reactor. Low pH is mainly caused by VFA accumulation that indicates poor methanogenic activity in the system leading to system failure. Therefore, pH is a crucial factor that needs to be maintained and it helps to demonstrate good performance of the digester. Maintenance of pH depends on buffering capacity of the system, besides a properly balanced methanogenic community.
Borja and Banks (1995) indicated importance of good buffering capacity of the system when a shock of influent pH of both acidic (3) or basic (10) during a 10 h period did not disturb the stability of a well buffered system. However, in wastewater treatment plants, it is not always possible to have good buffering capacity due to type of waste being degraded and under that circumstance pH i...

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