Abstract
This study explores the potential of converting food waste (FW) in South Africa to biogas via anaerobic digestion (AD) using the Aspen Plus Simulator version 11. The simulation modeled the AD process, focusing on hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis stages, with unconverted substrate recycling at the acetogenesis stage, employing a Non-Random Two-Liquid (NRTL) model for the polar mixture components. The FW used contained 49.86 % volatile solids (VS) of carbohydrates, 39.31 % VS of proteins, and 10.83 % VS of lipids. The results revealed that biogas yield at mesophilic temperature (37 °C) was 50 % higher than at thermophilic temperature (55 °C) with a residence time of 35 days, and methane composition was 45.98 % higher. Methane and carbon dioxide percentage compositions increased with hydraulic retention time (HRT), varying between 37.5–45.5 % and 34.3–39.9 % at mesophilic conditions. Economic analysis indicated a profitable outlook, with a payout period of 3 years, 5 months, and a 15-year positive revenue forecast. The project exhibited an internal rate of return (IRR) of 59.6629 %, suggesting strong economic viability and potential for investment. This study underscores the potential for optimized AD processes to enhance biogas production from FW in South Africa, presenting a viable, eco-friendly waste management solution.