Carbon Additives Significantly Boost Biomethane Production from Food Waste
Background
The escalating global issue of food waste disposal presents significant environmental challenges, including overwhelming landfills and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a highly promising biotechnology for converting diverse organic waste streams into valuable resources like biomethane (a renewable energy source) and nutrient-rich biofertilizer. However, the efficiency and stability of AD processes can often be limited by factors such as substrate composition, accumulation of inhibitory compounds, and suboptimal microbial activity. This study specifically addresses how the strategic addition of different carbon materials can effectively enhance biomethane yield and improve overall process stability during the anaerobic digestion of food waste.