Electronic regulation to achieve efficient anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW): strategies, challenges and potential solutions

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is prone to system breakdown under high organic loading rates (OLRs) condition, which subsequently reduces the efficiency of digestion process and results in substantial economic losses. In this perspective paper, the substances metabolisms, electrons flow, as well as microbial interaction mechanisms within AD process are comprehensively discussed, and the underlying bottleneck that causes inefficient methane production is identified, which is “electrons surplus”. Systems encountering severe electron surplus are at risk of process failure, making it crucial to proactively prevent this phenomenon through appropriate approaches. On this basis, the present perspective proposes three potential electronic regulation strategies to prevent electrons surplus, namely, electron shunt, accelerating electron transfer and regulating methanogenic metabolism pathway, and presents specific methodologies for each strategy. Furthermore, the potential solutions to challenges that may occur during the electronic regulation process are also presented in this paper. This perspective aims to provide innovative approaches to achieve the efficient and stable operation of OFMSW anaerobic digestion, especially under high OLRs condition.