Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review

The integration of anaerobic digestion (AD) into pulp and paper mill operations presents a sustainable pathway for managing pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS), a significant waste stream rich in organic matter. However, the process is constrained by the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass,...

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Main Authors: Erfan Hosseini, Selen Cremaschi, Zhihua Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Sustainability Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/add9a6
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author Erfan Hosseini
Selen Cremaschi
Zhihua Jiang
author_facet Erfan Hosseini
Selen Cremaschi
Zhihua Jiang
author_sort Erfan Hosseini
collection DOAJ
description The integration of anaerobic digestion (AD) into pulp and paper mill operations presents a sustainable pathway for managing pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS), a significant waste stream rich in organic matter. However, the process is constrained by the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass, nitrogen deficiency, and low buffering capacity—factors that contribute to reduced methane yields and economic infeasibility. This review critically examines over 200 studies to identify key bottlenecks in the AD of PPMS. It evaluates emerging strategies to enhance biodegradability and economic feasibility, including alkaline pretreatment with green liquor dregs, combining primary sludge and secondary sludge, co-digestion with rejected fibers and nutrient-rich substrates, sequential H _2 and CH _4 production, and biochar addition. The paper also discusses the role of mechanistic and data-driven modeling in optimizing the AD of PPMS and reviews existing techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment studies documented in the literature. These insights provide a valuable foundation for further research and supporting the practical implementation of AD within the pulp and paper industry.
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series Sustainability Science and Technology
spelling doaj-art-042d25ee95c4489c94e5a6ee3e7d93932025-08-20T04:03:22ZengIOP PublishingSustainability Science and Technology2977-35042025-01-012303200110.1088/2977-3504/add9a6Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a reviewErfan Hosseini0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9749-7034Selen Cremaschi1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-344XZhihua Jiang2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5020-7745Department of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University , Auburn, AL, United States of AmericaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University , Auburn, AL, United States of AmericaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University , Auburn, AL, United States of America; Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering, Auburn University , Auburn, AL, United States of AmericaThe integration of anaerobic digestion (AD) into pulp and paper mill operations presents a sustainable pathway for managing pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS), a significant waste stream rich in organic matter. However, the process is constrained by the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass, nitrogen deficiency, and low buffering capacity—factors that contribute to reduced methane yields and economic infeasibility. This review critically examines over 200 studies to identify key bottlenecks in the AD of PPMS. It evaluates emerging strategies to enhance biodegradability and economic feasibility, including alkaline pretreatment with green liquor dregs, combining primary sludge and secondary sludge, co-digestion with rejected fibers and nutrient-rich substrates, sequential H _2 and CH _4 production, and biochar addition. The paper also discusses the role of mechanistic and data-driven modeling in optimizing the AD of PPMS and reviews existing techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment studies documented in the literature. These insights provide a valuable foundation for further research and supporting the practical implementation of AD within the pulp and paper industry.https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/add9a6PPMSanaerobic digestionTEALCApretreatmentco-digestion
spellingShingle Erfan Hosseini
Selen Cremaschi
Zhihua Jiang
Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
Sustainability Science and Technology
PPMS
anaerobic digestion
TEA
LCA
pretreatment
co-digestion
title Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
title_full Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
title_fullStr Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
title_full_unstemmed Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
title_short Opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion: a review
title_sort opportunities and challenges in valorizing pulp and paper sludge for biogas production via anaerobic digestion a review
topic PPMS
anaerobic digestion
TEA
LCA
pretreatment
co-digestion
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/add9a6
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AT zhihuajiang opportunitiesandchallengesinvalorizingpulpandpapersludgeforbiogasproductionviaanaerobicdigestionareview