Arshit Raj1, Pooja Adwani1, Jiwan Singh1, Kondusamy Dhamodharan2
1Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow- 226025, India
2Department of Energy and Environment, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, 147 004, Punjab, India
Cite this article: Raj, A., Adwani, P.,Singh, J., Dhamodharan, K., 2025. Repurposing food waste for renewable energy: Insights and challenges in biogas production. J. Appl. Sci. Innov. Technol. 4 (1), 23-29.
Highlights
- Anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste transforms organic waste into renewable biogas.
- AD provides nutrient- rich digestate as biofertilizer, supporting sustainable agriculture.
- High initial costs, feedstock variability and process optimization are major concerns.
- Biogas production offers cost- effective waste management, reduces greenhouse emission.
- Advances in technology, decentralized system and policies enhance biogas adoption.
Abstract
Biogas production through the anaerobic digestion of food waste (FW) presents a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This review explores how different types of food waste can serve as adequate feed stock for biogas generation, highlighting the influence of environmental conditions and microbial activity on optimizing methane yields. The process follows two primary biological stages: the breakdown of complex organic materials into simpler compounds and their conversion into methane. At present, the urgent need to address greenhouse gas emissions and manage waste more effectively, biogas production from FW offers a valuable opportunity to produce renewable energy while reducing carbon footprints. This review is focusing on the biogas production rate under varying substrate ratios and operational conditions, using a specially designed aluminum-based digester to boost internal temperatures and improve efficiency. As per the literature study, aluminum digesters—especially those coated with black paint—significantly enhanced methane production compared to conventional plastic digesters. Furthermore, kitchen waste, rich in organic content and readily available, proved to be an excellent raw material for anaerobic digestion (AD) . Careful control of key factors such as pH, temperature, and retention time are found to be essential for maximizing biogas yields during food waste digestion. Overall, this work emphasizes the dual advantages of converting food waste into energy and promoting sustainable waste management, positioning biogas as a vital contributor to a greener andcircular economy.
Keywords: Batch system; Dome digester; Food waste; Organic manure; AD; Slurry
Scope: Energy and Environment
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