Advanced hydrolysis acidification technology of food waste for producing carbon source: metabolism optimization and electrochemical regulation

YANG Wulin; LIU Minghui; SHAO Yan

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202503009

Volume 43 Issue 3

Mar. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2025 > 43(3): 103-113

YANG Wulin, LIU Minghui, SHAO Yan. Advanced hydrolysis acidification technology of food waste for producing carbon source: metabolism optimization and electrochemical regulation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(3): 103-113. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202503009

Citation:

YANG Wulin, LIU Minghui, SHAO Yan. Advanced hydrolysis acidification technology of food waste for producing carbon source: metabolism optimization and electrochemical regulation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(3): 103-113. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202503009

Citation:

YANG Wulin, LIU Minghui, SHAO Yan. Advanced hydrolysis acidification technology of food waste for producing carbon source: metabolism optimization and electrochemical regulation[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(3): 103-113. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202503009

PDF( 1100 KB)

Advanced hydrolysis acidification technology of food waste for producing carbon source: metabolism optimization and electrochemical regulation

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202503009

1. College of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
2. Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, China;
3. Institute of Resource and Environment, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100095, China

Received Date: 2024-12-10
Accepted Date: 2025-02-28
Rev Recd Date: 2025-01-20

Available Online: 2025-06-07

Publish Date: 2025-03-01

Abstract

Abstract

In view of the substantial demand of carbon sources in wastewater treatment plants and the high cost of food waste disposal， a process for preparing bio-based green carbon sources by the small molecular organic acids in the fermentation liquid of food waste was developed. Volatile organic acids （VFAs）， as carbon source， it innovatively provides a synergy treatment pattern of solid waste and municipal sewage in cites， and makes a propagable paradigm of green techniques for achieving the synergistic reducing pollution and carbon and promoting efficiency goals. This paper summarized the research progress in terms of food waste fermentation liquid and bio-based carbon resource. It included three aspects， respectively the whole preparation process from food waste to carbon source product， the key technique during the process on hydrolysis and acidification of food wastes， and the application effect of carbon source product into wastewater for denitrification. Further focusing on the key technology， the frontier development on the hydrolysis and acidification of organic wastes， especially food wastes， were tracked and overviewed. It was integrated with some research hotspots in recent years， for instance of the metabolic engineering of the fermentation microorganisms， the electrochemistry pretreatment method for promoting substrate biodegradability， the addition of conductive nanomaterial for methanogenesis inhibition in anaerobic system， and the expand application of machine learning on simulating fermentation process. Finally， the practical problems existing in the fermentation industry from food waste to carbon sources in China were briefly analyzed， and the relevant suggestions on the aspects of carbon source preparation， transport and application were put forward. This review can provide a technical basis for understanding the fermentation engineering of food waste for producing carbon sources， as well as upgrading the hydrolysis acidification technology to promote the production yield of small molecular organic acids in fermentation liquid for further.
- anaerobic fermentation,
- volatile fatty acids,
- food waste,
- carbon source,
- denitrification

FullText(HTML)

References(63)

References

[1]	LIU D L，FENG L，HAN Q，et al. Feasibility analysis of excess sludge as carbon source for wastewater denitrification from the perspective of carbon emissions［J］. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering，2024，18（8）：2089-2098. 刘德兰，封莉，韩绮，等. 碳排放视角下剩余污泥作为污水脱氮碳源的可行性分析［J］. 环境工程学报，2024，18（8）：2089-2098.
[2]	XIONG Z K，ZHENG H L，SHANG J F，et al. State-of-the art review of adding extra carbon sources to denitrification of wastewater treatment［J］. Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering，2021，43（2）：168-181. 熊子康，郑怀礼，尚娟芳，等. 污水反硝化脱氮工艺中外加碳源研究进展［J］. 土木与环境工程学报（中英文），2021，43（2）：168-181.
[3]	LIU W，YANG H，YE J，et al. Short-chain fatty acids recovery from sewage sludge via acidogenic fermentation as a carbon source for denitrification：a review［J］. Bioresour Technol，2020，311：123446.
[4]	YIN Z，WANG J，WANG M，et al. Application and improvement methods of sludge alkaline fermentation liquid as a carbon source for biological nutrient removal：a review［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2023，873：162341.
[5]	AHMED S M，ALI N，RIAZ S，et al. A review on application of external carbon sources for denitrification for wastewater treatment［J］. Global Nest Journal，2022. 24（1）：105-118.
[6]	PAN Y，SUN R，YU H Q. Research advances in biological denitrification technology driven by exogenous electron donors［J］. Environmental Engineering，2024，42（9）：1-12. 潘元，孙睿哲，俞汉青. 外源电子供体驱动生物反硝化技术研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2024，42（9）：1-12.
[7]	HAN J F，ZHANG S T. Research advances on waste solid as external carbon source［J］. Environmental Engineering，2015，33（4）：108-111. 韩金峰，张书廷. 部分固体废弃物作外加碳源的研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2015，33（4）：108-111.
[8]	ZHANG T，ZHANG L Q，FENG L，et al. Analysis of changes in characteristics of kitchen waste after sorting and domestic waste before sorting in Beijing［J］. Environmental Engineering，2022，40（12）：22-28. 张彤，张立秋，封莉，等. 北京市垃圾分类后厨余垃圾与分类前生活垃圾性质变化分析［J］. 环境工程，2022，40（12）：22-28.
[9]	SUN W J，WANG X M，LI Z F. Influencing factors of directional acid production by anaerobic fermentation of food waste［J］. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress，2024，43（10）：5778-5790. 孙文瑾，王雪梅，李子富. 厨余垃圾厌氧发酵定向产酸的影响因素［J］. 化工进展，2024，43（10）：5778-5790.
[10]	BHATIA S K，YANG Y H. Microbial production of volatile fatty acids：current status and future perspectives［J］. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio-Technology，2017. 16（2）：327-345.
[11]	LV W，FENG K. Comparison of collaborative treatment of kitchen waste in sewage plants［J］. Environmental Engineering，2024，42（11）：99-105. 吕伟，冯凯. 污水厂协同处理有机固体废弃物方案研究［J］. 环境工程，2024，42（11）：99-105.
[12]	YAN L，FU H X，WANG X D，et al. Recent advances on recovery and separation of biomass-based organic acids［J］. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering，22018，18（1）：1-10. 鄢凌，傅宏鑫，王旭东，等. 生物基有机酸提取分离技术研究进展［J］. 过程工程学报，2018，18（1）：1-10.
[13]	ZHANG H W. Research on Kitchen Waste Hydrolysis Products as Alternative Carbon Source in Treatment of Percolate Denitrification and Pilot-scale Study［D］. Beijing：Tsinghua University，2016. 张昊巍. 餐厨垃圾水解酸化液用作渗滤液脱氮碳源及中试研究［D］. 北京：清华大学，2016.
[14]	QI S，LIN J，WANG Y，et al. Fermentation liquid production of food wastes as carbon source for denitrification：Laboratory and full-scale investigation［J］. Chemosphere，2021，270：129460.
[15]	KIM H，KIM J，SHIN S G，et al. Continuous fermentation of food waste leachate for the production of volatile fatty acids and potential as a denitrification carbon source［J］. Bioresour Technol，2016，207：440-445.
[16]	ZHANG Y，WANG X C，CHENG Z，et al. Effect of fermentation liquid from food waste as a carbon source for enhancing denitrification in wastewater treatment［J］. Chemosphere，2016，144：689-696.
[17]	MAHMOUD A，HAMZA R A，ELBESHBISHY E. Enhancement of denitrification efficiency using municipal and industrial waste fermentation liquids as external carbon sources［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2022，816：151578.
[18]	SAPMAZ T，MANAFI R，MAHBOUBI A，et al. Potential of food waste-derived volatile fatty acids as alternative carbon source for denitrifying moving bed biofilm reactors［J］. Bioresour Technol，2022，364：128046.
[19]	OWUSU-AGYEMAN I，BEDASO B，LAUMEYER C，et al. Volatile fatty acids production from municipal waste streams and use as a carbon source for denitrification：the journey towards full-scale application and revealing key microbial players［J］. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews，2023，175：113163.
[20]	WANG Y，YAO H. Study on enhanced biological phosphorus removal from low C/N wastewater by food waste hydrolysate［J］. Technology of Water Treatment，2024，50（2）：99-104. 王英，姚宏. 餐厨垃圾水解液强化低C/N废水生物除磷的探究［J］. 水处理技术，2024，50（2）：99-104.
[21]	DING F，ZHANG H C，GUO J，et al. Pilot study on co-digestion of food waste and waste activated sludge to improve nitrogen removal efficiency of low C/N sewage［J］. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering，2023，17（11）：3681-3688. 丁飞，张红春，郭洁，等. 餐厨垃圾与剩余污泥协同发酵提升低C/N污水脱氮效能的中试研究［J］. 环境工程学报，2023，17（11）：3681-3688.
[22]	LIANG M L，YUAN W B，AO D，et al. Optimization of anaerobic fermentation conditions for the preparation of high-performance denitrified carbon sources with food waste［J］. Environmental Sanitation Engineering，2022，30（5）：60-66. 梁曼丽，袁维波，敖冬，等. 餐厨垃圾制备高性能反硝化碳源的厌氧发酵条件优化［J］. 环境卫生工程，2022，30（5）：60-66.
[23]	WEI H T，QIU X Y. Study on kitchenwaste hydrolysate As carbon source to enhance the efficiency of low C/N sewage treatment［J］. Technology of Water Treatment，2022，48（12）：125-129. 危海涛，邱小燕. 厨余垃圾水解液作碳源强化低C/N污水处理效率的探究［J］. 水处理技术，2022，48（12）：125-129.
[24]	VARGHESE V K，PODDAR B J，SHAH M P，et al. A comprehensive review on current status and future perspectives of microbial volatile fatty acids production as platform chemicals［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2022，815：152500.
[25]	WANG L，HAO J，WANG C，et al. Carbohydrate-to-protein ratio regulates hydrolysis and acidogenesis processes during volatile fatty acids production［J］. Bioresour Technol，2022，355：127266.
[26]	POSSENTE S，BERTASINI D，RIZZIOLI F，et al. Volatile fatty acids production from waste rich in carbohydrates：Optimization of dark fermentation of pasta by products［J］. Biochemical Engineering Journal，2022，189：108710.
[27]	LI Y，DENG Y，ZHOU T，et al. Effects of pretreatments on the production of acetic acid from food wastes by yeast and acetic acid bacteria during micro-aerobic fermentation［J］. China Environmental Science，2017，37（5）：1838-1843. 李阳，邓悦，周涛，等. 预处理对菌接种餐厨垃圾发酵产乙酸的影响［J］. 中国环境科学，2017，37（5）：1838-1843.
[28]	WU Q L，GUO W Q，ZHENG H S，et al. Enhancement of volatile fatty acid production by co-fermentation of food waste and excess sludge without pH control：The mechanism and microbial community analyses［J］. Bioresour Technol，2016，216：653-660.
[29]	CHEN S Y，XIAO X Z，TENG J，et al. Research progress on methanogenic inhibition technology during anaerobic digestion of excess sludge［J］. Environmental Engineering，2021，39（6）：137-143. 陈思远，肖向哲，滕俊，等. 剩余污泥厌氧消化过程产甲烷抑制技术研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2021，39（6）：137-143.
[30]	LUO J，FENG L，ZHANG W，et al. Improved production of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge driven by carbohydrate addition in continuous-flow reactors：Influence of SRT and temperature［J］. Applied Energy，2014，113：51-58.
[31]	KHATAMI K，ATASOY M，LUDTKE M，et al. Bioconversion of food waste to volatile fatty acids：Impact of microbial community，pH and retention time［J］. Chemosphere，2021，275：129981.
[32]	ARRAS W，HUSSAIN A，HAUSLER R，et al. Mesophilic，thermophilic and hyperthermophilic acidogenic fermentation of food waste in batch：Effect of inoculum source［J］. Waste Management，2019，87：279-287.
[33]	BIAN C，CHEN X，WANG J，et al. Simultaneous biohythane and volatile fatty acids production from food waste in microbial electrolysis cell-assisted acidogenic reactor［J］. Journal of Cleaner Production，2023，420：138370.
[34]	GAUTAM R，NAYAK J K，RESS N V，et al. Bio-hydrogen production through microbial electrolysis cell：Structural components and influencing factors［J］. Chem Eng J，2023，455：140535.
[35]	WANG X T，ZHANG Y F，WANG B，et al. Enhancement of methane production from waste activated sludge using hybrid microbial electrolysis cells-anaerobic digestion（MEC-AD）process– a review［J］. Bioresour Technol，2022，346：126641.
[36]	ZENG Q，ZAN F，HAO T，et al. Sewage sludge digestion beyond biogas：Electrochemical pretreatment for biochemicals［J］. Water Research，2022，208：117839.
[37]	XI S，DONG X，LIN Q，et al. Enhancing anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge by investigating multiple electrochemical pretreatment conditions：Performance，modeling and microbial dynamics［J］. Bioresour Technol，2023，368：128364.
[38]	LIN Q，XI S，CHENG B，et al. Electrogenerated singlet oxygen and reactive chlorine species enhancing volatile fatty acids production from co-fermentation of waste activated sludge and food waste：The key role of metal oxide coated electrodes［J］. Water Research，2024，260：121953.
[39]	HUANG H，ZENG Q，HEYNDERICKX P M，et al. Electrochemical pretreatment（EPT）of waste activated sludge：Extracellular polymeric substances matrix destruction，sludge solubilisation and overall digestibility［J］. Bioresour Technol，2021，330：125000.
[40]	NAKANO S，FUKAYA M，HORINOUCHI S. Putative ABC transporter responsible for acetic acid resistance in acetobacter aceti［J］. Appl Environ Microbiol，2006，72（1）：497-505.
[41]	SUO Y，LUO S，ZHANG Y，et al. Enhanced butyric acid tolerance and production by Class I heat shock protein-overproducing Clostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755［J］. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology，2017，44（8）：1145-1156.
[42]	LIU X，ZHU Y，YANG S T. Construction and characterization of ack deleted mutant of clostridium tyrobutyricum for enhanced butyric acid and hydrogen production［J］. Biotechnology Progress，2006，22（5）：1265-1275.
[43]	ZHAO R，LIU Y，ZHANG H，et al. CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated gene deletion and regulation in clostridium ljungdahlii and its application in carbon flux redirection in synthesis gas fermentation［J］. ACS Synthetic Biology，2019，8（10）：2270-2279.
[44]	YANG J，LI L，YE W J，et al. Research status and progress in technology for enhancing anaerobic digestion performance of organic waste［J］. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering，2024，18（8）：2076-2088. 杨杰，李蕾，叶文杰，等. 有机垃圾厌氧消化性能强化技术研究现状及进展［J］. 环境工程学报，2024，18（8）：2076-2088.
[45]	CHEN L，ZHANG X，ZHU J，et al. Peroxydisulfate activation and versatility of defective Fe₃O₄@MOF-808 for enhanced carbon and phosphorus recovery from sludge anaerobic fermentation［J］. Water Res，2024，254：121401.
[46]	WANG X，WANG Y，ZHANG X，et al. In-situ combination of fermentation and electrodialysis with bipolar membranes for the production of lactic acid：Continuous operation［J］. Bioresour Technol，2013，147：442-448.
[47]	KOTOKA F，GUTIERREZ L，VERLIEFDE A，et al. Selective separation of nutrients and volatile fatty acids from food wastes using electrodialysis and membrane contactor for resource valorization［J］. Journal of Environmental Management，2024，354：120290.
[48]	JONES R J，FERNáNDEZ-FEITO R，MASSANET-NICOLAU J，et al. Continuous recovery and enhanced yields of volatile fatty acids from a continually-fed 100 L food waste bioreactor by filtration and electrodialysis［J］. Waste Management，2021，122：81-88.
[49]	NIKBAKHT R，SADRZADEH M，MOHAMMADI T. Effect of operating parameters on concentration of citric acid using electrodialysis［J］. Journal of Food Engineering，2007，83（4）：596-604.
[50]	BAK C，YUN Y M，KIM J H，et al. Electrodialytic separation of volatile fatty acids from hydrogen fermented food wastes［J］. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2019，44（6）：3356-3362.
[51]	XU R Z，CAO J S，WU Y，et al. An integrated approach based on virtual data augmentation and deep neural networks modeling for VFA production prediction in anaerobic fermentation process［J］. Water Research，2020，184：116103.
[52]	BATSTONE D J，KELLER J，ANGELIDAKI I，et al. The IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No 1（ADM1）［J］. Water Science and Technology，2002，45（10）：65-73.
[53]	GUO H N，WU S B，TIAN Y J，et al. Application of machine learning methods for the prediction of organic solid waste treatment and recycling processes：a review［J］. Bioresour Technol，2021，319：124114.
[54]	DONG C，JIN B，LI D. Predicting the heating value of MSW with a feed forward neural network［J］. Waste Management，2003，23（2）：103-106.
[55]	BARIK D，MURUGAN S. An artificial neural network and genetic algorithm optimized model for biogas production from co-digestion of seed cake of karanja and cattle dung［J］. Waste and Biomass Valorization，2015，6（6）：1015-1027.
[56]	ABU Q H，BANI H K，SHATNAWI N. Modeling and optimization of biogas production from a waste digester using artificial neural network and genetic algorithm［J］. Resources，Conservation and Recycling，2010，54（6）：359-363.
[57]	ZHAI S，CHEN K，YANG L，et al. Applying machine learning to anaerobic fermentation of waste sludge using two targeted modeling strategies［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2024，916：170232.
[58]	LI W，HUANG J，SHI Z，et al. Machine learning enabled prediction and process optimization of VFA production from riboflavin-mediated sludge fermentation［J］. Frontiers of Environmental Science& Engineering，2023，17（11）：135.
[59]	ZHAI S，CHEN K，YANG L，et al. Applying machine learning to anaerobic fermentation of waste sludge using two targeted modeling strategies［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2024，916：170232.
[60]	Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China. Composite Carbon Source for Sewage and Wastewater Treatment：HG/T 5960-2021［S］. 2021. 中华人民共和国工业和信息化部. 废（污）水处理用复合碳源：HG/T 5960—2021［S］. 2021.
[61]	China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology. Carbon Source from Food Waste Fermentation for Wastewater Treatment：TCI 303-2024［S］. 2024. 中国国际科技促进会. 厨余垃圾发酵制备污（废）水处理用碳源：TCI 303—2024［S］. 2024.
[62]	PELAZ L，GóMEZ A，LETONA A，et al. Nitrogen removal in domestic wastewater. Effect of nitrate recycling and COD/N ratio［J］. Chemosphere，2018，212：8-14.
[63]	TORRESI E，ESCOLà CASAS M，POLESEL F，et al. Impact of external carbon dose on the removal of micropollutants using methanol and ethanol in post-denitrifying Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors［J］. Water Research，2017，108：95-105.