Anaerobic processes in waste treatment

Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical conversion technology that can substantially destroy complex organic matter in wastes. When used in a fully engineered system, anaerobic digestion not only provides pollution prevention, but also allows for sustainable energy and nutrient recovery. As the technology continues to mature, anaerobic digestion is becoming a key method for both waste reduction and recovery of a renewable fuel and other valuable co-products. The main objective of this article is to provide an overview of the recent research on the anaerobic digestion of agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes. Information of the recent development in anaerobic microbiology and mathematical modeling is also covered in the article.