Article
Engineering, Environmental
G. Chinellato, F. Battista, D. Bolzonella, C. Cavinato
Summary: An innovative layout promoting the use of small, decentralised AD plants was proposed in this study, aiming to achieve stable processing and efficient gas production by treating high solid content source-separated OFMSW in a single-stage reactor.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mario F. Castellon-Zelaya, Simon Gonzalez-Martinez
Summary: The study shows that the production of metabolites during silage increases with decreasing solids concentration regardless of the temperature, and methane production from ensiled OFMSW at 10% solids concentration is better than from fresh OFMSW under all tested conditions. Ensiled OFMSW produces more methane than fresh OFMSW, and methane production is highest at 35 degrees C.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gregor Sailer, Martin Silberhorn, Johanna Eichermueller, Jens Poetsch, Stefan Pelz, Hans Oechsner, Joachim Mueller
Summary: This study evaluates the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and digested sewage sludge at lowered temperatures, finding that lower temperatures can increase CH4 yield and reduce heating costs, but the potential for efficiency improvement is limited.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alessio Siciliano, Carlo Limonti, Giulia Maria Curcio
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) oxidation as a pretreatment for organic waste, showing that AHP can enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of waste by converting complex organic substances into easily degradable compounds, leading to improved methane production performance during biofuel production processes.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bruno Semeraro, Daniela Summa, Stefania Costa, Federico Zappaterra, Elena Tamburini
Summary: The study revealed that utilizing white-rot fungi for delignification can significantly increase biogas production and productivity when co-digesting with other organic biomass, especially for green waste with high lignocellulosic content. This new strategy shows great potential in improving anaerobic digestion processes and reducing the overall time required.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Panagiotis Basinas, Jiri Rusin, Katerina Chamradova
Summary: High-solid anaerobic digestion of the very small particle fraction of mechanically-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste showed limited methane generation potential due to the non-biodegradable and recalcitrant molecules present. While the dry AD system demonstrated higher stability and methane production, the digestate presented low stability and high heavy metal content, requiring further treatment for use as soil conditioner or fertilizer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Demichelis, T. Tommasi, F. A. Deorsola, D. Marchisio, G. Mancini, D. Fino
Summary: Increasing the substrate inoculum ratio and incubation time decreases environmental impacts and increases economic profitability in anaerobic digestion configurations. The most economically profitable plant size is 30,000 tons/year of OFMSW, while the optimal size for maximal revenues and minimal costs is 50,000 tons/year. The highest environmental sustainability and economic profitability were achieved with incubated inocula WAS and CAS at the highest S:I ratio of 2:1.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Gabriella Papa, Tommy Pepe Sciarria, Barbara Scaglia, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: This study describes the diversification of products obtainable from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from the liquid fraction and biomethane from the residual solid fraction. The results showed that nearly 40% of OFMSW energy was recovered as products, indicating a relatively high efficiency in producing PHA and biomethane.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Gregor Sailer, Victoria Knappe, Jens Poetsch, Sebastian Paczkowski, Stefan Pelz, Hans Oechsner, Monika Bosilj, Siham Ouardi, Joachim Muller
Summary: The study found that hydrothermal treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste can improve fuel properties, but may also lead to increased ash content in biochar and accumulated heavy metals. Therefore, it is recommended to first convert raw municipal solid waste into CH4 before hydrothermal treatment to increase overall utilization efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuming Wen, Ziyi Shi, Shule Wang, Wangzhong Mu, Par Goran Jonsson, Weihong Yang
Summary: This study investigated the pyrolysis performance of solid residues from anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste, as well as the impact of anaerobic digestion on the pyrolysis process. The results showed that anaerobic digestion enhances interactions among feedstock components during pyrolysis, but inhibits the yields of heavy organics and gas.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Shule Wang, Yuming Wen, Ziyi Shi, Ilman Nuran Zaini, Par Goran Jonsson, Weihong Yang
Summary: The proposed novel process (APRM) combines multiple technologies to treat municipal solid waste, produce biomethane, and capture carbon emission. The evaluation and analysis show that the process has high energy efficiency and net profit.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
L. A. Romero De Leon, P. Quinto Diez, L. R. Tovar Galvez, L. Alvarado Perea, C. A. Lopez Barragan, C. A. Garcia Rodriguez, A. Reyes Leon
Summary: This study found that the biochemical methane potential of water hyacinth and municipal solid waste in Mexico City could be effectively managed through anaerobic digestion and anaerobic codigestion processes. The substrate-to-inoculum ratio played a significant role in volatile solids degradation. Anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste with a S:I ratio of 1:1 produced more methane than anaerobic codigestion, but the difference was not statistically significant. Overall, the research highlighted the potential of using anaerobic digestion for renewable energy production and addressing the issues associated with water hyacinth, municipal solid waste, and leachate.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wafa Dastyar, Seyed Mohammad Mirsoleimani Azizi, Mohamed Nouh Ahmed Meshref, Bipro Ranjan Dhar
Summary: The addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in high-solids anaerobic digestion was found to increase biogas production and reduce inhibitory substance concentrations. However, economic analysis showed that this strategy is only economically feasible if PAC can be recycled and reused.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Madhu Kumari, Munish K. Chandel
Summary: Utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage sludge (SS) as a source of renewable energy is crucial for achieving sustainable and integrated MSW management. Co-digestion of SS and organic fraction of MSW (OFMSW) can mitigate the challenges of mono-digestion and enhance methane production. This study aimed to optimize the mix ratio for anaerobic co-digestion of OFMSW and SS, and the results showed that increasing the proportion of SS in the mix ratio significantly increased methane yield. These findings highlight the potential of co-digesting SS and OFMSW as a preferable alternative for renewable energy generation and organic waste management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vinay Kumar Tyagi, Akansha Bhatia, Kengo Kubota, Ankur Rajpal, Banafsha Ahmed, Abid Ali Khan, A. A. Kazmi, Manish Kumar
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is a process where anaerobic microbes transform organic matter into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate, with different microbial groups responding differently to varying operating conditions. The dynamic performance of microbial community development is closely related to digester functionality and operational states.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(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.