Aerobic Digestion-Composting

Sawdust and wood chips are the most common sources of woody biomass waste used in aerobic digestion. This commercially established process collects organic wastes in lagoons, where naturally occurring bacteria use oxygen to convert the waste into carbon dioxide, water, energy, and more bacteria. Daily additional feedstock and water mixes with aerators to ensure constant turnover of the sludge. This constant mixing requires large energy demands because aerators require regular maintenance thus making the process somewhat expensive (Chynoweth et al. 1992)

Nutrient-rich fertilizers and composts are the major product that results from aerobic digestion of woody biomass. Plant covers, mulch, and recycled residues are also large commercial products both nationally and internationally.

Aerobic Digestion Pathway