Bioeconomy
Teesside University is partnering with Northumbrian Water to make anaerobic digestion (AD) processes more efficient. The project focuses on improving biogas production by understanding and managing microbial communities within digesters, and developing diagnostic tools for early detection of issues.
Anaerobic digestion uses microbes to break down waste and produce biogas, but if these microbes are not balanced correctly, the process can be less effective. This project set out to compare the microbes in different digesters and find out how they affect biogas production. The goal was to identify useful microbes that could improve the process and create simple tests to spot problems before they impact efficiency. This project also investigated which types of waste might cause issues in the system.
The researchers analysed samples from the digesters to understand the microbial communities using various techniques like DNA analysis and sequencing. They set up small test digesters and developed faster diagnostic tests to check digester health. The project also involved experts from external institutions such as the University of York and University of Birmingham.
The project has helped Northumbrian Water improve its biogas production, providing a better and more reliable renewable energy source. In the long run, the findings will lead to new microbial additives and diagnostic tools that make anaerobic digestion more efficient. This work supports better waste management and contributes to the development of sustainable energy solutions.
