Maximising waste-to-energy technologies by overcoming microbial inhibition

本项目旨在了解限制厌氧消化的微生物抑制和驯化机制。澳大利亚30%的垃圾是有机垃圾，大部分被送往垃圾填埋场。厌氧消化是一种低成本的处理技术，将有机废物转化为可再生能源生产，但由于抑制性化合物（如氨，盐和重金属）和微生物学知识有限，使用不足。了解微生物能力和抑制/驯化机制有望通过启用新工艺和从现有基础设施中增压能源生产来推动厌氧技术的更大应用。这将支持澳大利亚向可靠、低成本、低排放和安全的能源未来过渡。

This project aims to understand microbial inhibition and acclimation mechanisms that limit anaerobic digestion. 30% of waste in Australia is organic, and most is sent to landfills. Anaerobic digestion is a low-cost treatment technology that diverts organic waste to renewable energy production, but is under-used due to inhibitory compounds (e.g. ammonia, salts and heavy metals) and limited knowledge of microbiology. Understanding microbial capacity and inhibition/acclimatisation mechanisms is expected to drive greater application of anaerobic technology by enabling new processes and super-charging energy production from existing infrastructure. This would support Australia’s transition to a reliable, low-cost, low-emission and secure energy future.