Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. Granzotto, C. Aita, D. D. Silveira, F. D. Mayer, S. B. Pujol, J. A. Pinas, R. Hoffmann
Summary: Anaerobic digestion proved to be an efficient method for treating organic wastes from university restaurants, achieving high removal rates of pollutants and producing biogas and digestate for potential use as organic fertilizer.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberta Mota-Panizio, Manuel Jesus Hermoso-Orzaez, Luis Carmo-Calado, Goncalo Lourinho, Paulo Sergio Duque de Brito
Summary: The study found that when digesting cork boiling wastewater (CBW), the biomethane potential is very low for Ino/CBW ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 compared to other organic substrates using digested sludge as inoculum; however, co-digestion with cow manure showed better biomethane yields.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Huaping Xiao, Dongqing Zhang, Zhihua Tang, Kai Li, Huafang Guo, Xiaojun Niu, Linzi Yi
Summary: This study evaluated the environmental and economic impacts of different scenarios for food waste and biogas digestate management in Shenzhen, China. The results showed that dry AD coupled with biogas digestate incineration had the best net environmental benefits, reducing 195 kg CO2 per ton of FW, and was the most economically feasible option. Dry AD scenarios exhibited better environmental benefits compared to wet AD, especially in terms of global warming, human toxicity, marine aquatic ecotoxicity, and photochemical ozone creation potential. Incineration was found to be the best post treatment option for biogas digestate.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hassan Erraji, Mohamed Elamin Afilal, Abdeslam Asehraou, Khalid Azim
Summary: Food waste, rich in biodegradable materials, is a major environmental concern due to its negative impact. This study focused on assessing biogas production from food waste and the effects of liquid digestate on open field crops. The results showed promising biogas production and beneficial effects of liquid digestate on plant growth.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Richard P. Taylor, Clifford L. W. Jones, Richard K. Laubscher
Summary: There is potential to anaerobically digest sludge and algal biomass from brewery effluent treatment processes to produce methane. The study evaluated the use of waste biomasses for methane production and recommended operating anaerobic digesters at specific feeding rates. Algal-fed digesters showed higher methane content and lower carbon dioxide content compared to waste activated sludge-fed digesters, making it a promising substrate for biogas production.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Salome M. Duarte, Erika Sinisgalli, Ana J. Cavaleiro, Lorenzo Bertin, M. Madalena Alves, M. Alcina Pereira
Summary: This study demonstrates that biogas recirculation in the biogas-lift bioreactor facilitated the degradation of waste frying oils, most likely due to the selective enrichment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
Review
Environmental Sciences
S. Chozhavendhan, G. Karthigadevi, B. Bharathiraja, R. Praveen Kumar, Lata Deso Abo, S. Venkatesa Prabhu, Ramalingam Balachandar, Mani Jayakumar
Summary: This review critically analyzes the biorefinery approaches on anaerobic digestion (AD) process for the production of biogas and digestate, and their direct and indirect utilization. Upgrading or transforming digestate into high valued products can enrich soil nutrients and ensure a safe environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Juanga-Labayen, K. Yanac, Q. Yuan
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different SIR values on the batch anaerobic digestion of cotton textile waste, and found that treated substrate showed higher methane yield and anaerobic degradability compared to untreated substrate. The Gompertz model fitted well with the experimental data, with an R2 value of 0.96-0.99, showing improvement over the first-order kinetic model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xingyao Meng, Qingping Wang, Xixi Zhao, Yafan Cai, Xuguang Ma, Jingyi Fu, Pan Wang, Yongjing Wang, Wei Liu, Lianhai Ren
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is a biotechnology that aligns with greenhouse gas reduction policies and circular economy development goals. The quality and activity of inoculum are crucial in ensuring the successful start-up and stable operation of anaerobic digestion reactors. However, there is a lack of cost-effective, ready-to-use methanogenic culture for anaerobic digestion systems. Various preservation strategies for inoculum, including wet storage, dehydrated storage, and freeze-drying, have been evaluated. Freeze-drying with an effective cryoprotectant may yield the best results for preserving anaerobic inoculum.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanli Zhang, Xue Wang, Wanli Xing, Rundong Li, Tianhua Yang
Summary: This study investigated the responses of anaerobic digestion of food waste with different inocula to varying organic loads and pH control under high load. The findings show that pH control can significantly enhance digester performance, stability, methane production, and VFAs degradation, providing practical guidance for high-load AD configurations.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zebin Cao, Benedikt Huelsemann, Dominik Wuest, Hans Oechsner, Armin Lautenbach, Andrea Kruse
Summary: The study shows that HTC treatment of biogas digestate can improve the slagging and fouling indices of hydrochar, with the specific methane yield of process water minimally affected by varying HTC residence time. Energy assessment reveals that HTC for 0.5 hours achieves the highest process efficiency and net energy gain, suggesting the use of 210 degrees C, 0.5 hours HTC condition for energy production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard O'Shea, Richen Lin, David M. Wall, James D. Browne, Jerry D. Murphy
Summary: Increased biogas production has led to an oversupply of digestate applied to agricultural land, resulting in the need for long distance digestate transportation. This study evaluated the performance of three digestate management options – whole digestate application, digestate separation, and digestate separation with evaporation – combined with centralized or decentralized digestate storage.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
George Hurst, Ash Ahmed, Steven Taylor, Silvia Tedesco
Summary: This study investigated the potential of using paper crumb (PC) as a bioresource for producing methane and utilizing the resulting digestate as a water replacement in concrete. The 21-day anaerobic digestion of PC produced 163 ml of methane per gram of volatile solids, and the resulting digestate improved the compressive strength of concrete. Although the digestate reduced the workability of the concrete mix, this issue can be resolved by adding a plasticiser or increasing the water to cement ratio.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rajagopal Malolan, Ramesh Sai Jayaraman, Srikanth Adithya, Jayaseelan Arun, Kannappan Panchamoorthy Gopinath, Panneer Selvam SundarRajan, Omaima Nasif, Woong Kim, Muthusamy Govarthanan
Summary: This study introduces a zero emission concept for waste disposal and explores the potential for renewable green energy production by utilizing a mixture of cow dung and chicken waste for biogas production. The study evaluates the impact of different proportions of waste mixtures and the addition of Chlorella pyrenoidosa co-substrate on biogas distribution and production efficiency.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Linas Jurgutis, Alvyra Slepetiene, Kristina Amaleviciute-Volunge, Jonas Volungevicius, Jonas Slepetys
Summary: The shift from fossil economy to biological economy will increase demand for bio-based energy generation. Re-cultivating abandoned arable land and using digestate fertilisation can lead to higher biomass yields and more sustainable biogas generation. The study showed that digestate has a positive impact on eroded agricultural soil, increased grass biomass yield, and higher biomethane yield in biogas production.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojian Liu, Bei Wang, Yayun Ma, Xiangyang Zhou, Juan Yang, Yuehui He, Jingjing Tang, Fanyun Su, Wan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid leaching to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing the reducing gas produced from the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of the cathode powder is destroyed and converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, and MnO. Additionally, selective extraction of lithium is achieved using oxalic acid, and the efficiency and kinetics of lithium extraction are improved under the combined action of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muxina Konarova, Nuno Batalha, Gabriel Fraga, Mohamed H. M. Ahmed, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: This study presents a proof of concept for a technology that integrates PET recovery from mixed plastic waste and plastic pyrolysis. By depolymerizing PET into TPA using a low volatility oil as medium, it achieves low-pressure operation and a selective separation and recovery of TPA from the product mix. Full PET conversion and high TPA recovery were achieved, making it an effective solution for processing mixed waste streams and improving the yield and quality of liquid product from thermal pyrolysis compared to untreated feedstock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenhua Sun, Jing Li, Xuejiang Wang, Siqing Xia, Jianfu Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the influence of in-situ formed MgFe2O4 on the hydrothermal treatment of swine manure. The results showed that the in-situ formation of MgFe2O4 improved the dehydration and decarboxylation of organic components in swine manure, thereby improving its carbonization degree. Furthermore, it enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and the retention of phosphorus. MgFe2O4 modified hydrochars exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) without any leaching of heavy metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yijing Jiang, Boyang Leng, Jingxin Xi
Summary: The increased generation of municipal solid waste has had a significant impact on the economy, environment, and public health. The current waste treatment process has limitations. By developing a comprehensive social costing model, this study assesses the impacts of municipal solid waste management throughout its life cycle and provides policymakers with best practices and feasibility information.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Hernandes de Paula e Silva, Ricardo Coser Mergulha, Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, Andrea Brasco Pampanelli, Rodrigo Salvador, Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
Summary: This study developed and implemented a self-assessment tool to assist companies in decision-making processes for establishing circular flows based on Lean Manufacturing and Circular Economy principles. The tool utilized a maturity model and was applied to nine companies of varying characteristics. The findings revealed that certain companies showed higher maturity in water-waste and chemical-emissions management, with larger enterprises focusing on these strategies. However, many companies lacked sufficient training and employee awareness prior to seeking cleaner alternatives, and comprehensive actions to manage the product lifecycle were lacking. To address these gaps, the tool provided tailored recommendations for each company to improve their processes, products, and value chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Dogdu, Turgay Pekdemir, Sanaz Lakestani, Seyda Karabork, Osman Cavus
Summary: This paper presents data on food waste associated with mini size food packaging services, highlighting the difficulties in emptying the food and consumer wastefulness as the main causes. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of food and relevant packaging.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxia Li, Xin Kong, Yuxin Chen, Jianan Niu, Jia Jing, Jin Yuan, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigates how to enhance methane production from food waste after hydrothermal pretreatment. The results demonstrate a significant increase in methane yield when zero-valent iron and magnetite are used together, and high organic loading is favorable for methane production. Microbial diversity analysis further reveals the dominant pathways and metabolic processes involved in methane generation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. H. H. Sim, I. A. W. Tan, L. L. P. Lim, E. T. Lau, B. H. Hameed
Summary: The development of controlled-release fertilizer formulation is important for preventing environmental pollution caused by nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study combined biochar-based fertilizer with encapsulation technology to improve the nutrient release mechanism. Optimal conditions for synthesizing urea-impregnated biochar (UIB) were determined using central composite design, and the release of nitrogen was described by mathematical models. Results showed that encapsulated UIB (EUIB) achieved complete release of nitrogen in water and exhibited improved water retention in sandy-textural soil. Therefore, EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be used as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuchuan Wang, Neslihan Akdeniz
Summary: Incorporating biochar into composting systems can increase compost temperatures. This study developed a heat transfer model for a biochar-amended co-composting system and found that biochar increased thermal conductive losses but also enhanced microbial activity, resulting in an overall increase in total heat unit. When biochar was applied on the surface, it mainly functioned as an insulator.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
George Tsalis, Birger Boutrup Jensen, Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Summary: This paper empirically explores the relationship between retail price promotions and household food waste. The results show that households with a higher proportion of discount food purchases and environmental awareness tend to waste less food, while larger households and those lacking food handling skills tend to waste more food.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas Friederici, Arne Koch, Patrick Martens, Jana Pantzke, Sebastiano Di Bucchianico, Thorsten Streibel, Christopher P. Rueger, Ralf Zimmermann
Summary: The increasing demand for lightweight materials has led to a rise in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) production. However, the properties and compositional range of FRPs pose challenges to recycling strategies. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for separating the fibers from the polymer matrix. This study investigated the pyrolysis process using thermal analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and also assessed the toxicity of the recovered fibers using an in vitro model.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Devika Kannan, Shakiba Khademolqorani, Nassibeh Janatyan, Somaieh Alavi
Summary: This paper introduces Smart Waste Management (SWM) that applies Industry 4.0 technologies in waste management. A framework called SWM4.0 is developed, which highlights the importance of smart people, smart cities, smart enterprises, and smart factories in achieving successful waste management. The paper also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.