Enhanced biogas production from food waste and activated sludge using advanced techniques-A review

Biogas generation using food waste anaerobic co-digestion with activated sludge provides a cleaner addressable system, an excellent solution to global challenges, the increasing energy demands, fuel charges, pollution and wastewater treatment. Regardless of the anaerobic digestate end product values, the technology lacks efficiency and process instability due to substrate irregularities. Process parameters and substrate composition, play a vital role in the efficiency and outcome of the system. Intrinsic biochar properties such as pore size, specific surface properties and cation exchange capacity make it an ideal additive that enriches microbial functions and enhances anaerobic digestion. The pretreatment and co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge are found to be significant for efficient biogas generation. The advantages, drawbacks, limitations, and technical improvements are covered extensively in the present review besides the recent advancement in the anaerobic digestion system.

Automated summary

Biogas generation through anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge is an excellent solution to address global challenges and meet increasing energy demands, while also providing a cleaner alternative for pollution and wastewater treatment. However, the efficiency and stability of this technology are hindered by irregularities in the substrate. Adjusting process parameters, optimizing substrate composition, and adding biochar as an additive can enhance the efficiency and outcome of the system.