Enhancing the Methane Generation from Food Waste Anaerobic Digestion Mediated by Fluidic Oscillator Generated Microbubbles

Stage: Round 4

Societal food waste, estimated at 2 billion tonnes annually, poses a significant challenge, with the prospect of increased issues due to population growth and a burgeoning middle class. Disposing of waste through anaerobic digestion (AD) in airtight containers offers a solution, transforming organic matter into biogas and manure while curbing methane emissions. A novel approach enhances AD by introducing periodic CO2 microbubble sparging, boosting methane yield by 110%, and plans include microbubble-mediated mineral carbonation to reduce CO2 content in the biogas. This sustainable energy solution not only improves efficiency but also addresses the global food waste problem, presenting a comprehensive, environmentally conscious waste treatment and energy generation strategy.