RETHINKING ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: A MINI REVIEW OF TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS FROM CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS TO ADVANCED HIGH-RATE DIGESTERS
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Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key technology for renewable energy generation and organic waste valorization, yet its performance is strongly governed by reactor design, biomass retention mechanisms, and operational strategy. This mini-review presents a focused comparative synthesis of conventional and advanced AD configurations to clarify how structural and operational interventions shape process performance and suitability for application. Conventional single-stage digesters (continuous stirred tank reactors, plug flow reactors, and packed-bed reactors) are evaluated alongside advanced systems, including two-stage digestion, thermophilic digestion, and anaerobic membrane bioreactors. The analysis integrates design principles with typical operating windows for organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, volumetric methane productivity, methane content, and stability indicators. The review shows that conventional digesters offer robustness, simplicity, and economic accessibility but are inherently constrained by biomass dilution and coupled solids–hydraulic retention times, limiting high-rate operation. Advanced configurations achieve higher volumetric methane productivity and improved tolerance to complex or fluctuating substrates through phase separation, kinetic intensification, or enhanced biomass retention, albeit with increased capital cost, energy demand, and operational complexity. By synthesizing mechanistic trade-offs rather than ranking technologies, this review provides a structured basis for technology selection and highlights emerging research directions involving digital process control, microbial community engineering, and hybrid reactor design within circular bioeconomy frameworks.
Keywords:
Anaerobic digestion, Biogas technology, Circular bioeconomy, High-rate digesters, Reactor designReferences
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Copyright (c) 2026 Herlina Sukmawati, Nanang Apriandi, Rani Raharjanti
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