Study Reports 43% Boost in Energy Recovery from Green Bin Waste Utilizing Trident Nanobubble Technology

University of Alberta Study Validates Breakthrough in Biogas Production: Nitrogen Nanobubbles Shown to Increase Methane Yields by 43%

Link to the study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102415

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SHERIDAN, WY – December 1, 2025 – A peer-reviewed study published in Bioresource Technology Reports has validated a new method for intensifying Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production, potentially reshaping the unit economics of the global biogas industry.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta, confirms that Trident Bubble Technologies’ nanobubble system increases cumulative methane yields by 43% in High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion (HSAD) applications.

This marks the industry’s first verified, successful application of Nitrogen nanobubbles within a digester’s percolate recirculation loop. The findings offer operators a scalable retrofit for their existing biological infrastructure, unlocking significant trapped capacity without the need for expanded footprint or new construction.

Solving the "High-Solids" Mass Transfer Limitation High-Solids (or "Dry") Anaerobic Digestion is a standard method for processing food waste and organic matter across Europe and North America. However, these facilities frequently face physical limitations due to high viscosity, which prevents effective mixing. This results in "dead zones" where bacteria starve and potential energy remains trapped in the waste stack.

The study demonstrated that by injecting Trident’s ultra-fine Nitrogen nanobubbles (averaging ~270nm) into the facility’s liquid recirculation system, operators can overcome these mass-transfer limitations.

"This research proves that we aren't just adding gas; we are upgrading the fluid mechanics of the digestion process," said Latif Khan, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Trident Bubble Technologies. "Our technology transforms the liquid percolate into a hyper-efficient delivery vehicle, carrying gas and scrubbing agents deep into the solid waste stack where traditional mechanical mixing cannot reach. The result is a 43% jump in production from the exact same feedstock."

Operational Breakthroughs: Safety and Desulfurization Crucially, the study utilized Nitrogen (N2)—an inert gas—rather than Oxygen or Air, ensuring compatibility with the anaerobic environment.

• Biological Safety: Unlike oxygen, which is toxic to methanogens (methane-producing bacteria), Nitrogen is inert and safe for the anaerobic environment. It acts purely as a physical vehicle to improve viscosity and penetration without disrupting the biological balance.

• In-Situ Scrubbing: The study recorded a significant reduction in Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)—a corrosive, toxic byproduct—dropping from peaks of ~600 ppm down to ~200 ppm. This cleaner gas output reduces strain on downstream scrubbing equipment, directly lowering Operating Expenses (OpEx).

The Multi-Million Dollar Revenue Impact For facility owners and infrastructure investors, the implications of a 43% yield increase are immediate. Based on current market rates for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and environmental credits (RINs/LCFS), this efficiency gain fundamentally alters the financial profile of a commercial facility:

• The Scenario: A typical medium-sized commercial digester processes ~100,000 tons of organic waste annually.

• The Trident Effect: Applying the verified 43% yield increase to this volume generates an estimated $5.4 million in additional annual revenue.

• The ROI: With a retrofit installation cost that is a fraction of new construction, the technology offers a payback period measured in months, not years.

A $4 Billion Global Market Opportunity This technology targets a high-value segment of the green energy grid. There are many High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion facilities operating globally, primarily in Europe and North America, that utilize the specific recirculation architecture validated by this study.

As municipalities worldwide move to ban organic waste from landfills, the demand for processing capacity is escalating. Trident’s technology enables these existing plants to "virtually expand" their capacity, representing a Total Addressable Market (TAM) estimated at $4.4 billion.

"The industry has spent decades trying to build bigger tanks. This research proves we don't need more concrete; we need better physics. We are unlocking the trapped potential that has been sitting in these tanks all along."

About Trident Bubble Technologies Trident Bubble Technologies is a leader in advanced gas-transfer solutions, specializing in nanobubble systems that enhance biological processes in wastewater treatment, aquaculture, and renewable energy generation. By harnessing the unique physics of nano-scale bubbles, Trident helps industrial operators achieve higher yields, lower costs, and superior environmental outcomes.

For a free copy of the study, please download from the source below:

Reference:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102415

Khaskheli, S., et al. "Improving high-solids anaerobic digestion of source-separated organics with nanobubble water supplementation: Significance of microbial community dynamics." Bioresource Technology Reports, Vol 32, 2025.