A Review of Biochemical Process of Anaerobic Digestion

The search for alternative energy and fuels has motivated researchers to focus on renewable and sustainable means of getting them instead of relying on the conventional way of energy and fuel production. Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical process during which complex organic matter is decomposed in absence of oxygen, by various types of anaerobic microorganisms. The process of Anaerobic digestion is appropriate for all waste water treatment systems given that the solid can be introduced to the system at an acceptable concentration. Biogas, the product of anaerobic digestion process is a clean and renewable form of energy which can be a substitute for conventional sources of energy which are causing ecological-environmental problems and at the same time depleting at a faster rate. This paper reviews the anaerobic digestion process and its complexities; it covers different stages involved in the process, the substrate used in the process, the relationship between the substrate and microorganisms and important operating parameters such as pH, temperature and loading rate.