Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge

https://publikationen.bibliothek.kit.edu/1000050288/18451059

Renewable Power-to-Gas: A technological and economic review

https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/190081841/BiogasUpgrade_Review.pdf

Biogas upgrading and utilization: Current status and perspectives

Anaerobic digestion is a commercial reality for several kinds of waste. Nonetheless, anaerobic digestion of single substrates presents some drawbacks linked to substrate characteristics. Anaerobic co-digestion, the simultaneous digestion of two or more substrates, is a feasible option to overcome the drawbacks of mono-digestion and to improve plants economic feasibility. At present, since 50% of the publication has been published in the last two years, anaerobic co-digestion can be considered the most relevant topic within anaerobic digestion research. The aim of this paper is to present a review of the achievements and perspectives of anaerobic co-digestion within the period 2010-2013, which represents a continuation of the previous review made by the authors [3]. In the present review, the publications have been classified as for the main substrate, i.e., animal manures, sewage sludge and biowaste. Animal manures stand as the most reported substrate, agro-industrial waste and the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste being the most reported co-substrate. Special emphasis has been made to the effect of the co-digestion over digestate quality, since land application seems to be the best option for digestate recycling. Traditionally, anaerobic co-digestion between sewage sludge and the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste has been the most reported co-digestion mixture. However, between 2010 and 2013 the publications dealing with fats, oils and greases and algae as sludge co-substrate have increased. This is because both co-substrates can be obtained at the same wastewater treatment plant. In contrast, biowaste as a main substrate has not been as studied as manures or sewage sludge. Finally, three interdisciplinary sections have been written for addressing novelty aspects in anaerobic co-digestion, i.e., pre-treatments, microbial dynamics and modeling. However, much effort needs to be done in these later aspects to better understand and predict anaerobic co-digestion.

A critical review on anaerobic co-digestion achievements between 2010 and 2013

It is clear that renewable resources will play a crucial role in limiting the CO2 emissions. Energy from biomass and waste is regarded as one of the most dominant future renewable energy sources, since it can provide a continuous power generation. In this regard, the application of anaerobic digestion is emerging spectacularly. This manuscript lists and discusses the main beneficial properties of anaerobic digestion. Different types of biomass and waste are suitable for anaerobic digestion: the organic fraction of municipal solid waste, waste oils and animal fat, energy crops and agricultural waste, manure and sewage sludge. The potential, opportunities and challenges of these biomasses are discussed. Typical biogas yield and points of attention are included. The manuscript concludes with an overview and discussion of the major research trends in anaerobic digestion, including the analysis of microbial community development, the extension of anaerobic digestion models, the development of pre-treatment techniques and upgrading of the biogas produced.

V.A. Vavilin

Papers

The IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No 1 (ADM1)