METHANE FERMENTATION PROCESS

PURPOSE:To improve fermentation efficiency and to contrive miniaturization of apparatus by distributing solid material having negative dissociable groups on the surface such as powdery silicate, silicate ore, or mixtures contg. the same, in fermentation liquid. CONSTITUTION:Methane fermentation is carried out by distributing solid material having negative dissociable groups on the surface, such as silicate or silicate ore such as montmorillonite, sericite, silimanite, kyanite, andalusite, feldspar, zeolite, etc., porous silicate or silicate ore prepd. by expansion or sintering by heating of vermiculite, etc., or ion exchange body such as sulphonated polystyrene/divinyl benzene resin, etc. By this method, fermentation efficiency of sludge having reduced activity for generating gas is restored, and fermentation eficiency of sludge is further enhanced by activating the activity of sludge for generating gaseous methane.