Integration of anaerobic codigestion of food organics, pretreated garden organics and sewage sludge with pyrolysis

Approximately 50 percent of Australia’s organic waste – comprising food organics, compost reject and biosolids – ends up in landfill and accounts for a major part of Australia’s total emissions. To overcome this issue in waste management, Australia needs a clean energy-producing mechanism that doesn’t release contaminants to the environment.

This research will investigate an integrated system of biological and thermal treatment for the enhancement of biomethane potential and bioenergy potential of the pyrolyzed digestate so that municipal organic waste can be diverted from landfill, produce energy and reduce carbon emissions. In addition to that, this research will help in recycling depleted phosphorus back into soil.

PhD Thesis underway by Habiba Sarwar.