“…Theoretically, thermophilic AD (TherAD) is preferred over mesophilic AD (MesAD), as recent studies have shown that: (i) TherAD is kinetically favoured over MesAD, thus resulting in a shorter retention time and poses a higher possibility to increase the organic loading rate (El Mashad et al, 1994;Angelidaki et al, 2006;Esposito et al, 2011), (ii) TherAD has a higher rate of organic matter degradation with a higher biomethane production (Gavala et al, 2003;Labatut et al, 2014;Suhartini et al, 2014), and (iii) TherAD holds a better potential to inactivate pathogens, thus complying with the EU policy for elimination of pathogens as well as obtaining Class A biosolids according to the USEPA guidelines (Labatut et al, 2014;Suhartini et al, 2014;Wagner et al, 2008;Ziemba and Peccia, 2011).…”