Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment: Demystifying Methanogenesis
The wastewater treatment world is an unending sea of types of processes and variations. One such process, the anaerobic treatment, holds a prominent and popular reputation due to its low CAPEX-OPEX and generation of byproducts such as methane, which is valuable as well as a clean energy source.
The process that leads to methane production is known as methanogenesis-which is the final and slowest step in the anaerobic digestion chain, where intermediate acids and hydrogen are converted into methane.
However, the process is mostly underperforming in the industries due to its bottlenecks and variable mechanism. This blog helps readers understand the intricacies of methanogenesis and helps understand the concept and mechanism.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of anaerobic wastewater treatment, industries are recognizing the limitations of traditional systems and turning toward advanced, high-efficiency strategies. With increasing load from industrial effluent treatment, especially containing high COD and toxic compounds, the need for anaerobic bioreactor optimization is more critical than ever.
With the increasing demand for bacteria solutions for wastewater treatment, industries are actively seeking partners who understand both biology and process engineering.
Companies like Team One Biotech lead the way among bioculture companies and microbial companies in India, delivering high-performance strains suited for industrial ETPs.
We provide expert consulting and microbial formulations tailored for anaerobic systems. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and transform your treatment process.
What is Methanogenesis?
Methanogenesis is the last step in anaerobic digestion, where the end products from acetogenesis and acedogenesis process are converted into methane gas and CO2 by methanogenic archaea.
Modern facilities strive for not just compliance but profitability through biogas production efficiency, transforming waste streams into energy assets. The use of engineered microbial consortia, such as T1B Anaerobio, ensures higher methane recovery from wastewater even under challenging conditions like salinity and shock loads.
Core stages of Anaerobic Digestion:
- Hydrolysis: Breakdown of complex organics (proteins, carbs, Fats)
- Acidogenesis: Fermentation into VFAs (volatile fatty acids), alcohol, H2.
- Acetogenesis: Conversion of VFAs into acetate, H2, and CO2.
- Methanogenesis: Final step producing CH4 and CO2.
Types of methanogens:
| Pathway | Microbial Group | Substrate |
| Acetoclastic | Methanosaeta, Methanosarcina | Acetate → CH₄ + CO₂ |
| Hydrogenotrophic | Methanobacterium, Methanococcus | H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄ |
These microbes are obligate anaerobes, extremely sensitive to environmental shifts-and incredibly slow-growing.
Why does methanogenesis often fail?
As evident, it is important to have success in all three processes i.e. Hydrolysis, Acidogenesis, and Acetogeneis, before Methanogenesis to succeed. This requires proper management of pH, temperature, HRT and induction of right biomass. However, in most cases all the three preceding processes are comparatively easier to get executed, it is this methanogenetic process only where most plants struggle due to:
- Acid accumulation/VFA Buildup
- Acidogenesis is rapid, while methanogenesis is slow.
- Result: VFA overload, which causes pH to drop below 6.8—a toxic zone for methanogens.
- Toxic Inhibitors
Common industrial effluents contain:
- Heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr)
- Sulfides
- Phenols
- Ammonia >2000 mg/L
These compounds directly inhibit methanogenic enzyme systems.
- Salinity and TDS stress
TDS above 15000-20000 ppm imposes osmotic stress, especially on Methanosaeta, which is already slow-growing.
- Lack of Granular Structure in Reactors
Granules in the sludge allow the methanogens to thrive in micro-environments.
- Poor granulation = less protection = washout
How to Improve Methanogenesis- Practical Strategies
Improving methanogenesis requires a holistic approach involving operational tuning, microbial reinforcement, and environmental stability.
- Maintain Optimal pH: 6.8 – 7.4
Methanogens are extremely pH sensitive; any fluctuation can halt the methanogenic process that leads to unwanted reverses.
- Control Organic Loading Rate (OLR)
Gradually ramp up OLR during commissioning, ideal OLR: 1.5-3.5 kg COD/m3/day for stable systems. Overfeeding typically leads to acid overload and ultimately methanogen collapse.
- Ensure Adequate Retention Time
The ideal HRT should be between 8-15 days (depending on the substrate). The SRT should be even longer in high-loading systems.
- Use advanced Biocultures enriched in Methanogens
Key Traits of Effective Methanogenic Biocultures:
- Contains both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic strains
- High cell viability in anaerobic, low-oxygen environments
- Pre-adapted to shock loads, high COD, and salinity
At Team One Biotech, our T1B Anaerobio blend includes halotolerant Methanobacterium and facultative syntrophic partners that stabilize early acid-phase products and prevent VFA accumulation.
- Add Conductive Materials (Bio-Stimulation)
- Use activated carbon, biochar, or magnetite in digesters.
- These promote direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), bypassing slower H2 pathways
- Result: Faster methanogenesis and increased CH4 yield
- Control Sulfates and Heavy Metals
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) compete with methanogens for substrate.
- High sulfide also directly poisons methanogens
Key Indicators of Methanogenesis Health
| Parameter | Healthy Range |
| pH | 6.8 – 7.4 |
| VFA/Alkalinity ratio | <0.3 |
| ORP | -300 to -400 mV |
| Biogas CH₄ content | >60% |
| Foaming | Minimal (indicates balance) |
| Gas production rate | Steady increase or plateau |
Methanogenesis is Fragile, but Fixable
Methanogenesis is the most sensitive yet rewarding step in anaerobic treatment. It’s where the “waste” becomes “resource,” and the environmental liability transforms into a clean, combustible asset.
But to get there, industries must move beyond legacy systems and general-purpose biology.
They must:
- Understand the microbial bottlenecks
- Deploy engineered or acclimated methanogens
- Support them with pH buffering, controlled feeding, and granular retention
Only then can your anaerobic system realize its full potential — both in COD removal efficiency and renewable methane production.
Conclusion:
Achieving high COD removal technology performance depends heavily on maintaining organic loading rate control, optimal pH, and reducing VFA accumulation. Furthermore, granular sludge formation enhances microbial retention and process stability, which is vital in high-strength wastewater treatment systems.
Through targeted bioaugmentation for anaerobic digestion, enriched with salinity resistant methanogens, it’s now possible to manage volatile environments and optimize yield. These microbial consortium for ETP solutions include both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic archaea, enabling efficient conversion pathways and reduced inhibition.
One promising method includes introducing conductive material in digesters, which boosts DIET and facilitates faster VFA to methane conversion. This, combined with proper HRT/SRT balance and T1B Anaerobio application, unlocks new levels of process performance.
As we progress towards zero-waste water solutions and advanced ETP solutions, methanogenesis is no longer just a biological reaction—it’s a cornerstone of sustainable industrial practice.
In recent years, several biotech companies in India have made significant strides in anaerobic treatment technologies, offering customized microbial formulations.
Team One Biotech is one of the leading Biotech Companies in India, providing advanced microbial solutions like bacteria for ETP treatment and bacteria culture for wastewater treatment.
📩 Reach out now to enhance your wastewater treatment efficiency.
📧 Email: sales@teamonebiotech.com
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