We’re excited to share key findings from a recent doctoral dissertation at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) that explores innovative ways to enhance anaerobic digestion (AD) performance through synergistic strategies.

In the dissertation titled “Advancing Anaerobic Digestion – From Pre-treatment to Applying Additives”, Mohammad Javad Bardi investigated multiple enhancement techniques aimed at improving methane yield, process stability, and system efficiency in AD. 

This work offers a scalable roadmap for boosting the efficiency and sustainability of biogas production, aligning with circular economy, climate neutrality, and renewable energy goals. 

Here’s a summary of what was uncovered:

Ultrasonic Pretreatment + Hydrostatic Pressure

Applying mild hydrostatic pressure during ultrasonic sludge treatment enhanced COD solubilization by 53% and improved methane yield by 17%, with a positive energy balance of up to 167%.
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Biochar (BC) Application
Biochar improved AD via microbial enrichment (R² = 0.33 with CH₄ yield), buffering capacity, and inhibition mitigation. Optimization via pyrolysis temperature (PyT) was found essential.
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Micronutrient (Trace Element) Supplementation
Co-supplementation of trace elements (e.g., Fe, Ni, Co) outperformed mono-addition. Bioavailability — not just dosage — proved critical for effectiveness.
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CO₂ Enrichment in AD Systems
CO₂ enrichment stimulated hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (confirmed via isotopic tracing), increasing CH₄ production by 53–77% and mitigating ammonia inhibition.
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This research highlights new integrated approaches to upgrading biogas technologies and opens avenues for future collaboration and innovation.

Let’s connect and collaborate on advancing renewable solutions! 🤝

#AnaerobicDigestion #Biogas #Biochar #Micronutrients #CO2Utilization #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #EnergyTransition #TUM #WasteToEnergy #GreenTech