Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste—A Short Review

Agnieszka A. Pilarska (), Tomasz Kulupa, Adrianna Kubiak, Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka (), Krzysztof Pilarski () and Alicja Niewiadomska
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Agnieszka A. Pilarska: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Tomasz Kulupa: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Adrianna Kubiak: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Krzysztof Pilarski: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Alicja Niewiadomska: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-23

Abstract: In recent years, growing environmental awareness, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the energy crisis have led many countries to seek alternative energy sources. One of the most promising solutions is biogas production via anaerobic digestion (AD), whose substrate can be organic-rich and easily biodegradable food waste (FW). This waste is a significant part of the global waste problem, and its use for energy production is beneficial to both the environment and the economy. This paper presents important issues concerning the monitoring of the AD process, as well as standard and innovative, for the implementation of this process, technological solutions. The aim of the measures taken to optimise the process is to increase AD efficiency and obtain the highest possible methane content in biogas. Two approaches—pretreatment and anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD)—have been integral to the implementation of AD of food waste for years. They are presented in this paper based on a review of recent research developments. Pretreatment methods are discussed with particular emphasis on mechanical, chemical and biological methods. The AcoD of FW with different organic substrates has been extensively reviewed, as confirmed by numerous studies, where higher buffer capacity and optimum nutrient balance enhance the biogas/methane yields. Attention was also paid to the parameters, operating mode and configurations of anaerobic digesters, with a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. The article concludes with a brief presentation of the development perspectives for the discussed FW management method and recommendations.

Keywords: food waste; anaerobic digestion; pretreatment; bioreactor configurations; process efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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