Not Just Numbers: Mathematical Modelling and its Contribution to Anaerobic Digestion Processes

Abstract

<jats:p>Mathematical modelling of bioprocesses has a long and notable history, with eminent contributions from fields including microbiology, ecology, biophysics, chemistry, statistics, control theory and mathematical theory. This richness of ideas and breadth of concepts provide great motivation for inquisitive engineers and intrepid scientists to try their hand at modelling, and this collaboration of disciplines has also delivered significant milestones in the quality and application of models for both theoretical and practical interrogation of engineered biological systems. The focus of this review is the anaerobic digestion process, which, as a technology that has come in and out of fashion, still remains a fundamental process for addressing the global climate emergency. Whether with conventional anaerobic digestion systems, biorefineries, or other anaerobic technologies, mathematical models are important tools that are used to design, monitor, control and optimise the process. Both highly structured, mechanistic models and data-driven approaches have been used extensively over half a decade, but recent advances in computational capacity, scientific understanding and diversity and quality of process data, presents an opportunity for the development of new modelling paradigms, augmentation of existing methods, or even incorporation of tools from other disciplines, to ensure that anaerobic digestion research can remain resilient and relevant in the face of emerging and future challenges.</jats:p>

Incorporating Inhibition Effects and Hydrolysis Biokinetics into the Mathematical Model of Anaerobic Fermentation

“…3) obtains greater values of specific growth rate for the same initial substrate concentration for younger inoculum exposed to lower substrate concentration. Overall, the development of modified growth rate equations from the Monod equation allows for more accurate and comprehensive representations of microbial growth kinetics under various conditions, making them valuable tools in bioprocess modeling, optimization, and control (Wade, 2020).…”

Best Operating Conditions for Biogas Production in Some Simple Anaerobic Digestion Models

“…In the context of renewable energy, it has now become an attractive alternative to fossil carbon [1]. AD is a complex biological process in which organic material is converted into biogas (methane) in an environment without oxygen [2][3][4][5][6]. One of its main disadvantages is its sensitivity to disturbances, which can lead to instability problems, in addition to a decrease in the biogas production rate [7].…”

Modeling a propionate‐oxidizing syntrophic coculture using thermodynamic principles

“…From research and development to plant design, control and operation, modeling is an essential tool for the AD research and engineering community (Moscoviz & Jimenez, 2021; Wade, 2020). It provides a simplified image of AD that can be used to evaluate the system behavior in specific conditions.…”