Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation

Abstract Carbon-neutral strategies are transforming wastewater treatment from pollution removal to resource recovery. Anaerobic fermentation stands out as a promising method for the recovery of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge. However, short chain fatty acid yield is usually unsa...

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Main Authors: Xiaodi Li, Lu Wang, Mianfeng Zhang, Bo Wang, Wei Zeng, Yongzhen Peng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00436-z
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author Xiaodi Li
Lu Wang
Mianfeng Zhang
Bo Wang
Wei Zeng
Yongzhen Peng
author_facet Xiaodi Li
Lu Wang
Mianfeng Zhang
Bo Wang
Wei Zeng
Yongzhen Peng
author_sort Xiaodi Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Carbon-neutral strategies are transforming wastewater treatment from pollution removal to resource recovery. Anaerobic fermentation stands out as a promising method for the recovery of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge. However, short chain fatty acid yield is usually unsatisfactory due to the slow hydrolysis rate of organic substances during sludge fermentation, requiring external interventions. Different physical, chemical and biological approaches are available to enhance fermentation. This study systematically reviews the research progress in combining these physical, chemical and biological processes to facilitate short chain fatty acid production via the fermentation of waste activated sludge. The prospects for combined strategies are comprehensively discussed and the feasibility and challenges of applying combined strategies in practical wastewater treatment plants are assessed. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for future research on sludge reutilization.
format Article
id doaj-art-3898f95ca8b04bd79f5f7e6422f4ef33
institution Kabale University
issn 2731-3395
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Communications Engineering
spelling doaj-art-3898f95ca8b04bd79f5f7e6422f4ef332025-08-20T04:02:55ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952025-07-014111510.1038/s44172-025-00436-zCombined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentationXiaodi Li0Lu Wang1Mianfeng Zhang2Bo Wang3Wei Zeng4Yongzhen Peng5National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of TechnologyAbstract Carbon-neutral strategies are transforming wastewater treatment from pollution removal to resource recovery. Anaerobic fermentation stands out as a promising method for the recovery of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge. However, short chain fatty acid yield is usually unsatisfactory due to the slow hydrolysis rate of organic substances during sludge fermentation, requiring external interventions. Different physical, chemical and biological approaches are available to enhance fermentation. This study systematically reviews the research progress in combining these physical, chemical and biological processes to facilitate short chain fatty acid production via the fermentation of waste activated sludge. The prospects for combined strategies are comprehensively discussed and the feasibility and challenges of applying combined strategies in practical wastewater treatment plants are assessed. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for future research on sludge reutilization.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00436-z
spellingShingle Xiaodi Li
Lu Wang
Mianfeng Zhang
Bo Wang
Wei Zeng
Yongzhen Peng
Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
Communications Engineering
title Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
title_full Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
title_fullStr Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
title_full_unstemmed Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
title_short Combined strategies for promoting short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
title_sort combined strategies for promoting short chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00436-z
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