Advanced Research on Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the journal “Water” explores “The Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Circular Economy: Industrial Applications and Scientific Innovations”. It highlights the pivotal role of anaerobic digestion (AD) in promoting sustainable waste management by reducing biosolids, remediating waste/wastewater, and notably, by converting waste into a plethora of value-added products. Advances in AD reactor technology, such as high-rate anaerobic systems, have not only improved degradation rates and process stability but have also led to an increase in the generation of products like bio-based chemicals—ethanol, butanol, biopolymers, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). In addition, AD facilitates the production of renewable energy sources, including electricity, upgraded biomethane equivalent to natural gas, and hydrogen. The biofertilizers produced from AD residues contribute to sustainable agriculture by closing the nutrient loop, thereby embodying the essence of a circular economy.

This edition extends the discourse to a wide array of valuable end-products obtainable from the AD process, fundamental to the solidification of circular economy principles. It examines robust AD system strategies, especially adept in the treatment of complex industrial effluents, and introduces innovative approaches and techniques that boost both the efficiency and adaptability of AD technologies. With the aim to present impactful research, this issue drives the integration of AD technologies into broader environmental management and industrial applications. In synchrony with sustainability goals, this compendium underscores the integral role of AD in achieving environmental and economic sustainability, which in turn supports Sustainable Development Goals of clean water, clean energy, and responsible production.

Dr. Lei Zhang
Dr. Yingdi Zhang
Guest Editors

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• value-added products production
• circular economy
• anaerobic digestion
• wastewater/waste treatment
• biosolids reduction