21 Dec 2023
HKMU innovates microfluidics for real-time monitoring of the metabolic activity of food waste/sewage sludge anaerobic co-digestion to boost the generation of renewable energy
As public awareness of environmental protection grows in Hong Kong, food waste is becoming an increasing concern, thus creating demand for food waste recycling and reuse. If large amounts of food waste are not treated properly, it may contaminate the environment. The “anaerobic co-digestion” of food waste and sewage sludge produces biogas, but the biological activity of the digestion process requires close monitoring to ensure the smooth operation of “anaerobic digestion”, along with the production of biogas. Hong Kong Metropolitan University's (HKMU) School of Science and Technology has developed a “microfluidics analytical device” to monitor the bioactivity of “anaerobic digestion” in real time and learn about the impact of food waste on the “anaerobic digestion” of sewage sludge. Hence, it will help improve the efficiency of waste decomposition and generate renewable energy to convert waste into energy....