Show, K.-Y.K.-Y.ShowYan, Y.Y.YanYao, H.H.YaoGuo, H.H.GuoLi, T.T.LiShow, D.-Y.D.-Y.ShowChang, J.-S.J.-S.ChangLee, D.-J.D.-J.LeeDUU-JONG LEE2021-02-042021-02-042020Show, K.-Y.;Yan, Y.;Yao, H.;Guo, H.;Li, T.;Show, D.-Y.;Chang, J.-S.;Lee, D.-J.https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85078020259&partnerID=40&md5=656f989a0b84906e0eb933b24475e5achttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/547685Successful installations and operation of many granulation-base treatment plants all over the world in the recent years are reported. A better knowledge towards reactor operation and system performance has led to a growing interest in the technology. While the technology is well accepted and abundant research work has been carried out, insight unfolding the granulation fundamentals and its engineering applications remains unclear. This paper presents a review of some major hypotheses describing the evolvement of anaerobic granules. A number of physico-chemical hypotheses based on thermodynamics and structural hypotheses incorporating microbial considerations for anaerobic granulation have been developed. Features of anaerobic granulation and bioreactor designs are also reviewed. Advances in granulation research with respect to hydrogen production, degradation of recalcitrant or toxic compounds and emissions mitigation are delineated. Prospects and challenges of anaerobic granulation in wastewater treatment are also outlined. © 2020 Elsevier LtdAnaerobic; Bioreactor; Granular sludge; Granulation; Recalcitrant[SDGs]SDG6[SDGs]SDG7[SDGs]SDG12Bioconversion; Bioreactors; Engineering research; Hydrogen production; Thermodynamics; Wastewater treatment; Anaerobic; Anaerobic granulation; Anaerobic granules; Bioreactor design; Emissions mitigation; Engineering applications; Granular sludge; Recalcitrant; Granulation; hydrogen; toxic substance; volatile agent; anoxic conditions; biodegradation; bioengineering; bioreactor; performance assessment; physicochemical property; thermodynamics; aerobic granular sludge; alternative energy; anaerobic bacterium; anaerobic granulation; biochemical oxygen demand; bioreactor design; carbon footprint; degradation; energy consumption; hydrophobicity; nonhuman; priority journal; reactor operation; sludge treatment; solids retention time; thermodynamics; thermophilic bacterium; waste water management; anaerobic growth; bioreactor; sewage; Anaerobiosis; Bioreactors; Sewage; Waste Disposal, Fluidreview10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122751319560592-s2.0-85078020259WOS:000509985900004