Amendments to model frameworks to optimize the anaerobic digestion and support the green transition

Abstract

The current world energy system is still heavily dependent on fossil resources (non-renewable and depletable). Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been pointed out as a great strategy for waste and wastewater management while producing biogas that can be upgraded to biomethane. Mathematical models can provide insights into understanding and analyzing important aspects of any process, while minimizing experimental effort, risk, and cost. However, modeling as means to predict, control, and optimize the performance of biological processes on pilot or higher scale is rather scarce. The so-called “BioModel” and Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) are well-known model frameworks to understand, characterize, and simulate the anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. Multiple amendments, modifications, and additions occurred during the past years in both frameworks. Therefore. the present article aims to review the most relevant updates made to these models and enlighten the perspectives on the role of kinetic modeling in bio-based gas production. The potential of the existing highly efficient AD models to serve as a basis to develop, predict, and finally support the biogas and bio-methanation processes at a higher scale is discussed. © 2024 The Authors