Abstract
The anaerobic digestion technology has been in existence for centuries and its underlying theory established for decades. It is considered a useful technology for the generation of renewable energy, and provides means to alleviate problems associated with low access to energy. However, a great deal of current research is targeted towards the optimization of this technology under diverse digestion process conditions. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the chemistry of anaerobic digestion and discusses how process chemistry can be used to optimize system performance through identification of methods that can accelerate syntrophic interactions of different microorganisms for improved methanogenic reactions. Recent advances in addition to old research are discussed in order to offer a general but comprehensive synopsis of accumulated knowledge in the theory of anaerobic digestion, as well as an overview of previous research and future directions and opportunities of the AD technology. Achieving a sustainable energy system requires comprehensive reforms in not just economic, social and policy aspects, but also in all technical aspects, which represents one of the most crucial future investments for anaerobic digestion systems.
Highlights
The production of bioenergy from anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising alternative to climate change reduction and considered a viable treatment technology for waste management [1]
The chemical aspect of AD described in this review suggests that it is as important as the microbiological aspect
The vision of future expansion of the AD technology will require rapid technical improvements that must include critical evaluation of its chemical aspect; linked to how interspecies hydrogen transfer (IHT) and hydrogen partial pressure (HPP) can improve methanogenic reactions and how microbial electrochemical systems (MES) can be successfully combined with AD, which can create lasting mesophilic temperature conditions for increased bacterial activity in the digestion process
Summary
The production of bioenergy from anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising alternative to climate change reduction and considered a viable treatment technology for waste management [1]. AD systems offer numerous significant advantages in the sense that they do not require tedious and expensive maintenance steps and are adaptable to the climatic conditions of most countries [2]. This technology (AD) has a positive net energy production rate and the CH4 gas produced from the process has the tendency to replace fossil fuels. If properly handled, AD systems have no negative effect on human health or the environment [3].
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