Advanced Anaerobic Digestion and Integrated Technologies for High-Strength Waste Valorization

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic invites research on advanced anaerobic digestion (AD) for high-strength wastes (e.g., agro-industrial effluents, livestock manure, food processing residues), with an emphasis on additive-enhanced systems. The use of biochar, nano-zero-valent iron, and magnetic nanocomposites has shown the potential to boost methane yields by enhancing microbial syntrophic interactions, electron transfer, and process resilience. Authors are encouraged to include comparisons with conventional AD setups and to report key performance indicators such as methane production, organic matter removal (COD/VFA), biogas composition, and reactor stability. Studies exploring digestate post-treatment, recovery of nutrients or other by-products, and microbiological enhancements are also welcome. Biogas upgrading to biomethane—via pressure swing adsorption (PSA), water scrubbing, amine absorption, or membrane technologies—is appreciated, particularly when integrated with AD configurations such as high-pressure digestion. This Topic promotes hybrid systems that couple AD with processes like hydrothermal carbonization, composting, membrane filtration, biotransformation, or constructed wetlands to improve energy recovery, nutrient cycling, and overall sustainability. Contributions are welcome that address environmental and operational advantages, as well as implications for circular bioeconomy models. Comparative assessments, novel reactor designs, and performance improvements will help illustrate efficient and scalable pathways for AD-based valorization of concentrated organic waste streams.

Prof. Dr. Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman
Prof. Dr. Carlos Velasco-Santos
Dr. Juan Manuel Méndez-Contreras
Topic Editors