A Review of Pretreatment Strategies for Anaerobic Digestion: Unlocking the Biogas Generation Potential of Wastes in Ghana

James Darmey (), Satyanarayana Narra, Osei-Wusu Achaw, Walter Stinner, Julius Cudjoe Ahiekpor, Herbert Fiifi Ansah, Berah Aurelie N’guessan, Theophilus Ofori Agyekum and Emmanuel Mawuli Koku Nutakor
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James Darmey: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Satyanarayana Narra: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Osei-Wusu Achaw: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana
Walter Stinner: Bioenergy System Department, DBFZ German Biomass Research Center gGmbH, Torgauer Str. 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
Julius Cudjoe Ahiekpor: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana
Herbert Fiifi Ansah: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
Berah Aurelie N’guessan: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana
Theophilus Ofori Agyekum: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana
Emmanuel Mawuli Koku Nutakor: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana

Waste, 2025, vol. 3, issue 3, 1-41

Abstract: Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable method of treating organic waste to generate methane-rich biogas. However, the complex lignocellulosic nature of organic waste in most cases limits its biodegradability and methane potential. This review evaluates pretreatment technology to optimize AD performance, particularly in developing countries like Ghana, where organic waste remains underutilized. A narrative synthesis of the literature between 2010 and 2024 was conducted through ScienceDirect and Scopus, categorizing pretreatment types as mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, enzymatic, and hybrid. A bibliometric examination using VOSviewer also demonstrated global trends in research and co-authorship networks. Mechanical and thermal pretreatments increased biogas production by rendering the substrate more available, while chemical treatment degraded lignin and hemicellulose, sometimes more than 100% in methane yield. Biological and enzymatic pretreatments were energy-consuming and effective, with certain enzymatic blends achieving 485% methane yield increases. The study highlights the synergistic benefits of hybrid approaches and growing global interest, as revealed by bibliometric analysis; hence, the need to explore their potential in Ghana. In Ghana, this study concludes that low-cost, biologically driven pretreatments are practical pathways for advancing anaerobic digestion systems toward sustainable waste management and energy goals, despite infrastructure and policy challenges.

Keywords: biogas; pretreatment; substrate; methane yield; anaerobic digestion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:3:y:2025:i:3:p:24-:d:1708165

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