Techniques for Quantifying Methane Production Potential in the Anaerobic Digestion Process

The anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic substrates, such as food waste (FW) present in municipal solid waste (MSW), is a biological alternative that contributes to the meeting of Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 by producing both digestate (soil conditioner) and methane (renewable energy). In this regard, the methods used to quantify methane production are important to examine. Through a bibliometric analysis (2008-2020) in Scopus and Scielo databases, two different methods-experimental and theoretical-were identified: Experimental methods include volumetric, manometric as well as other experimental methods. Due to their simplicity and low cost of implementation, volumetric methods are the most widely used, particularly in developing countries. It was also found that gas chromatography is used mainly as a complementary method to estimate biogas composition. Theoretical methods may overestimate methane production because they assume that all organic matter is degraded. Furthermore, variables such as the reactor volume, headspace, barrier solution (i.e., acidic, or alkaline), and particle size, among others, should be further studied, to standardize quantification methods and compare results between studies. [GRAPHICS] .