Microbiology of Sustainable Biogas Production , Edited by: Dr Sabine Kleinsteuber

The conversion of organic waste and residual biomass into biogas using anaerobic digestion is an excellent way to close carbon and nutrient cycles. However, most biogas plants still operate well below their optimal performance. A better understanding of the microbiology behind anaerobic digestion processes will pave the way for a more efficient and sustainable biogas production.

Review : Agricultural biogas production in Germany - from practice to microbiology basics Worldwide, anaerobic digestion for sanitation and utilization of the produced biogas as energy carrier have a long-standing history. Concomitantly, digested residues from biogas plants are utilized as valuable...

Michael Lebuhn, Bernhard Munk and Mathias Effenberger

Energy, Sustainability and Society 2014 4:10,Published on: 20 May 2014

Biogas Production: Microbiology and Technology,Article in Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology · July 2016,DOI: 10.1007/10_2016_5

1st Anna Schnürer,34.68 · Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 

Abstract : Biogas, containing energy-rich methane, is produced by microbial decomposition of organic material under anaerobic conditions. Under controlled conditions, this process can be used for the production of energy and a nutrient-rich residue suitable for use as a fertilising agent. The biogas can be used for production of heat, electricity or vehicle fuel. Different substrates can be used in the process and, depending on substrate character, various reactor technologies are available. The microbiological process leading to methane production is complex and involves many different types of microorganisms, often operating in close relationships because of the limited amount of energy available for growth. The microbial community structure is shaped by the incoming material, but also by operating parameters such as process temperature. Factors leading to an imbalance in the microbial community can result in process instability or even complete process failure. To ensure stable operation, different key parameters, such as levels of degradation intermediates and gas quality, are often monitored. Despite the fact that the anaerobic digestion process has long been used for industrial production of biogas, many questions need still to be resolved to achieve optimal management and gas yields and to exploit the great energy and nutrient potential available in waste material. This chapter discusses the different aspects that need to be taken into consideration to achieve optimal degradation and gas production, with particular focus on operation management and microbiology.

 Thank you so much for your answer and links

New trends are to generate electric potential as an alternative to biogas. It is beneficial in desearts and far places. I think biogas should be applicable in desearts Look to this article

Das Nives et al.(2009).Biogas production : new trends for alternative energy sources in Rural and Urban zones. Chemical Engineering & Technology.32(8): 1147-1153

Find novel and potential biogas producing microbes using metagenome.

Tell me if I am wrong.  Anaerobic digestion is essentially a self-limiting process.  In AD the microbes grow and give off carbon dioxide and methane.  However, in this process the natural life cycle comes into play.  Microbes begin to die.  In the decomposition of these microbes, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are released.  These are toxic to the new microbes.  Eventually, the process reaches its limit.  Work needs to be done on how to remove the dead microbes from the process so that it can utilize all the biomass available to it.