What is the primary outcome of the anaerobic digestion of biosolids?

The primary outcome of anaerobic digestion of biosolids is the production of methane gas. This process occurs in the absence of oxygen, where microorganisms break down organic material in the biosolids. During this microbial activity, a mixture of gases is produced, with methane being the most significant component. Methane is valuable as it can be captured and used as a renewable energy source, providing the potential for energy recovery from wastewater treatment processes.

While reductions in sludge volume and the production of nitrogen gas can occur as secondary effects of anaerobic digestion, the primary biochemical process emphasizes the creation of methane. Similarly, the creation of bio-solid fertilizers is a beneficial outcome of the digestion process, but it is not the main focus when discussing the primary result. The emphasis on methane production highlights its importance within both energy recovery and sustainability efforts in wastewater management.