Room: Poster Area
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 09:00 - 10:00 CEST
Session code 4CV.1
Biogas and biomethane production
Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste in a Low-Cost Semi-Continuous Reactor
Short Introductive summary
The United Nations (UN) estimates that 1.3 billion tons of food waste (FW) are generated worldwide each year [1]. This waste is generated throughout the production and consumption chain and is difficult to manage. Its irregular disposal causes pollution of the soil, water bodies, and air, accounting for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions [2]. As it is an organic waste product susceptible to microbiological degradation, FW is a good substrate for anaerobic digestion and the consequent production of biogas. This biofuel can be used for different energy purposes, making it important in the energy transition scenario. Landfills, for example, already collect biogas and produce electricity and biomethane [3]. Locations with low FW production, such as low-income communities, homes, and schools, can make separation and collection more difficult. Treating waste at its point of generation may be a solution. However, digesters can be expensive and difficult to operate [4]. In this sense, it is necessary to reduce costs with construction materials, as well as facilitate operation, as in semi-continuous reactors.
Presenter
Íthalo ABREU
Federal University of Pernambuco, DEN Dpt., BRAZIL
Presenter's biography
Chemical Engineering, postgraduate in Environmental Engineering and Basic Sanitation, Master in Energy and Nuclear Technologies, and currently a PhD student in Energy and Nuclear Technologies. I have experience in biochemical processes, liquid and gas chromatography, and environmental management.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
I.B.S. De Abreu, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, BRAZIL
E.D. Dutra, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, BRAZIL
Session reference: 4CV.1.9