Review
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed M. Elgarahy, M. G. Eloffy, Ahmed Alengebawy, Dina M. El-Sherif, Mohamed S. Gaballah, Khalid Z. Elwakeel, Mohamed El-Qelish
Summary: Food waste contains various nutrients that can be reused to produce value-added products or converted into green energy sources, such as biogas, biohydrogen, and biodiesel, as an alternative to nonrenewable fuels. Laboratory studies have shown that biochemical production using food waste is as effective as using pure carbon sources. This review article aims to provide a global perspective on the approaches used to turn food waste into usable products and green energy sources. It discusses the sources, types, impacts, characteristics, pre-treatment strategies, and potential management of food waste for value-added product generation. The reviewed articles also highlight the feasibility of energy recovery from food waste through various transformation processes, as well as the socioeconomic, environmental, and engineering aspects related to food waste management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siming You, Jade Lui, Manosh C. Paul, William Sloan
Summary: Distributed waste-to-hydrogen (WtH) systems based on gasification and fermentation are proposed as a potential solution for sustainable waste management and zero emission transport. A cost-benefit analysis is conducted to compare the economic feasibility of different WtH systems. The results show that gasification and fermentation technologies can reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCoH), but the high capital expenditure and carbon taxes on conventional hydrogen production methods are limitations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Boreum Lee, Hyun-Seok Cho, Heehyang Kim, Dongjun Lim, Wonchul Cho, Chang-Hee Kim, Hankwon Lim
Summary: Alkaline water electrolysis for green H-2 production is gaining attention for its high technology readiness level and low investment, but faces challenges due to low current density. Techno-economic analysis shows that stack cost and unit electricity price must be below certain levels to be cost-competitive with conventional H-2 production method. The electricity source has significant effects on the economic feasibility and environmental impacts for green H-2 production.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ana Maria Villarreal Vives, Ruiqi Wang, Sumit Roy, Andrew Smallbone
Summary: Producing clean energy and minimizing energy waste are crucial for achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals. This research analyzes the potential of waste heat recovery from multi-MW scale green hydrogen production. The results show that implementing waste heat recovery coupled with an organic Rankine cycle can significantly increase electrolysis efficiency and feasibility, depending on electricity prices.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tomas Cordero-Lanzac, Adrian Ramirez, Alberto Navajas, Lieven Gevers, Sirio Brunialti, Luis M. Gandia, Andres T. Aguayo, S. Mani Sarathy, Jorge Gascon
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the process of converting CO2 into green methanol, including kinetic analysis of catalysts, process simulation, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle evaluation. The results indicate that using renewable energy is crucial for CO2 abatement and profitable methanol production.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Haeun Shin, Kentaro U. Hansen, Feng Jiao
Summary: This work provides a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of four major products of low-temperature CO2 electrolysis and prioritizes technological development with systematic guidelines to facilitate market deployment.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Omprakash Sarkar, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos, Leonidas Matsakas
Summary: Sustainable production of fuels and chemicals is crucial for reducing carbon footprint. This study evaluated the production of hydrogen and platform chemicals from pretreated birch sawdust, demonstrating the potential for biofuel production. The integration of acidogenic fermentation with anaerobic digestion in a biorefinery framework showed promising results for the production of biohythane and biomethane.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fayas Malik Kanchiralla, Selma Brynolf, Tobias Olsson, Joanne Ellis, Julia Hansson, Maria Grahn
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility, environmental impacts, and economic viability of different energy carriers for different ship types. It found that battery-electric and compressed hydrogen options are not viable for some ships, while the use of ammonia and methanol in engines has the lowest life cycle cost.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jinsu Kim, JunKyu Park, Young-Seek Yoon
Summary: Carbon emission is a significant problem in iron-making plants, and hydrogen utilization is a key strategy for reducing emissions. This study proposes a modified sulfur-iodine (SI) process for hydrogen production to be used as a reductant in blast furnaces (BF) during iron smelting. The modified process improves energy efficiency, profitability, and CO2 mitigation. Economic feasibility and potential for global warming mitigation are discussed. The study confirms the economic feasibility of the SI process and estimates the reduction in CO2 emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yundi Dong, Haili Wei, Hailong Cui, Hao Lu, Junbin Liao, Yangbo Qiu, Jiangnan Shen
Summary: In this study, hexacyanocobalic acid was prepared from potassium hexacyanocobalate using a clean and efficient bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) method. The effects of different factors on the preparation process were investigated. The results showed that under certain conditions, high concentration and conversion rate of hexacyanocobalic acid can be achieved.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maja Percic, Nikola Vladimir, Ailong Fan
Summary: The study focuses on analyzing alternative fuels to reduce the environmental footprint and lifetime costs of inland waterway transportation in Croatia, aiming to meet the emission reduction targets by 2030. The electrification of ships is highlighted as the most environmentally friendly option, with potential for up to 51% carbon emission reduction, while the most cost-effective option varies for each ship.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Brieuc Lecart, Chloe Baumsteiger, Florent Monie, Andrea Di Maria, Christophe Detrembleur, Aurore Richel, Herve Vanderschuren
Summary: In this study, suberin was efficiently extracted from barks and peels using supercritical and near-supercritical transesterification without the need for catalysts. The suberinic extracts were found to be useful in non-isocyanate polyurethane foams and in extending the shelf-life of fruits.
Article
Thermodynamics
Antonio Garcia, Javier Monsalve-Serrano, Santiago Martinez-Boggio, Shashwat Tripathi
Summary: Many countries are promoting the shift towards electric vehicles to reduce emissions, but electric vehicles still have emissions during their entire life cycle. The emissions vary based on the country's electricity generation mix. Additionally, electric vehicles are more expensive than internal combustion engine vehicles with a similar range.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Sadiq, Reem J. Alshehhi, Rahul Rajeevkumar Urs, Ahmad T. Mayyas
Summary: The International Energy Agency has established an agreement to promote the transition to green hydrogen in various sectors. Currently, the production of green hydrogen is limited due to lack of regulations, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure. This study investigates the potential and cost of large-scale hydrogen production, finding that costs decrease significantly with increased production volume. The location studied shows promise for scaled production and development of green hydrogen.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Charles Geffroy, Drew Lilley, Pedro Sanchez Parez, Ravi Prasher
Summary: Despite significant research on waste-heat conversion (WHC), the market penetration of such technologies remains limited due to insufficient attention given to the techno-economic aspects. Studies indicate that WHC heat engines are economically viable only for temperatures above 150 degrees C and power output in the range of 100 kW to 1 MW.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lisa A. Peterson, Patricia M. Awerbuch, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: This study compares different stormwater management alternatives in a rural setting and finds that floodplain restoration, while slightly more costly than conventional surface basin options, offers environmental and social benefits that outweigh its costs.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yaseen Elkasabi, Yetunde Omolayo, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: Blending green petroleum coke and biocoke allows for the continuous production of calcined coke for aluminum smelting anodes, reducing environmental impact significantly.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Saurajyoti Kar, Pieter Billen, Lars Bjornebo, Beth Katz, Sheng Yang, Timothy A. Volk, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: This study evaluates space heating alternatives using a life cycle assessment metric and compares different fuel sources and heating methods. The results show that utilizing forest residue and willow biomass resources is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially when combined with carbon capture and storage technology in DH systems.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Santosh Kumar, Roy Posmanik, Sabrina Spatari, Victor C. Ujor
Summary: Due to climate change and drought, it is crucial to develop new technologies for water recovery from nutrient-rich effluents. Anaerobic digestate contains valuable minerals that can be used as nutrients for fermentation, enabling water recovery and bio-production of chemicals.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Santosh Kumar, Roy Posmanik, Sabrina Spatari, Victor C. Ujor
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Asael Greenfeld, Nir Becker, Janet F. Bornman, Sabrina Spatari, Dror L. Angel
Summary: This research reviews the limited number of life cycle assessment studies on aquaponics, highlighting the environmental costs and benefits of this sustainable food production system. Guidelines for future assessments are proposed to aid policy and decision-making for farmers.
AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Or Galant, Giacomo Cerfeda, Aaron S. McCalmont, Stuart L. James, Andrea Porcheddu, Francesco Delogu, Deborah E. Crawford, Evelina Colacino, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: The scale-up of mechanochemical methods has the potential to make manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry greener by eliminating the use of solvents. The study evaluates the sustainability and green chemistry metrics for producing nitrofurantoin via mechanochemical continuous twin-screw extrusion and conventional solvent-batch synthesis methods. The results show significant reductions in energy, climate change, and cost for the mechanochemical method, while maintaining high product selectivity.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yimeng Tian, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: Due to rapid urbanization, the construction industry in China consumes a significant quantity of material and is responsible for considerable greenhouse gas emissions. Prefabricated construction methods are promoted by the Chinese government because of their potential environmental and economic benefits. This study compares the environmental impact of prefabrication methods and traditional methods using life cycle assessment and finds that prefabrication methods offer more environmental advantages in all aspects except for marine eutrophication.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rahamim Batten, Or Galant, Mukund Karanjikar, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: This study investigates the production of low carbon and renewable aviation fuel through existing commercial first generation biorefineries. The results show that producing DMCO from corn feedstocks in dry grind biorefineries can reduce GHG emissions and meet aviation fuel demand.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sarah Curpen, Nadya Teutsch, Konstantin Kovler, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: Disposal of coal fly ash (CFA) is controversial due to the release of heavy metals into the ground and aquifers, posing risks to communities and the environment. However, utilizing CFA as fill material in embankments can lead to economic and environmental benefits. This study evaluated the environmental effects of using CFA versus sand through life cycle assessment (LCA) and found that utilizing CFA in embankments reduces impact categories compared to landfilling.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saurajyoti Kar, Rajveer Singh, Patrick L. Gurian, Adam Hendricks, Paul Kohl, Sean McKelvey, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: Wastewater treatment plants with anaerobic digestion of biosolids can recover nitrogen through air stripping and produce ammonium sulfate for agricultural use. This study compares the cost and environmental impact of recovering ammonia from the sidestream of WWTPs to AS production from the Haber Bosch process. The results show that air stripping technology offers a more environmentally and economically favorable option for nitrogen recovery and AS production at WWTPs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sherif A. Khalifa, Sabrina Spatari, Aaron T. Fafarman, Vasilis M. Fthenakis, Patrick L. Gurian, Mira S. Olson, Jason B. Baxter
Summary: Emerging lead halide perovskite (LHP) photovoltaics have great potential for commercialization due to their high efficiency and low manufacturing costs. However, the toxicity of lead (Pb) poses a major challenge. In this study, a model was used to simulate the fate and transport of Pb leachate in groundwater, soil, and air following hypothetical catastrophic breakage of LHP PV modules. The results showed that most of the Pb is sequestered in soil, and the concentrations of Pb in groundwater and air were below the EPA maximum permissible limits. Although the highest observed concentrations of perovskite-derived Pb in soil did not exceed EPA limits, further research is needed to assess the potential bioavailability and public health risks of perovskite-derived Pb.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lisa A. Peterson, Patricia M. Gallagher, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: This study uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of underground plastic recharge chambers for stormwater management. The results show that injection molding has a higher environmental impact, and long-distance transport also plays a significant role in the total impact.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rahamim Batten, Mukund Karanjikar, Sabrina Spatari
Summary: Bio-polyisoprene production using biomass as feedstock can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support a circular biogenic carbon economy, and decrease land use intensity. Compared to natural rubber and synthetic rubber, bio-polyisoprene shows better performance in some environmental impact metrics, but higher air emission related impacts, which can be mitigated through emission controls during production.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Sherif A. Khalifa, Sabrina Spatari, Aaron T. Fafarman, Jason B. Baxter
Summary: This study compared the life cycle impacts of industrial-scale production of A-site cation precursor chemicals for perovskite solar cells, finding that the impacts of these precursors are similar to each other and much smaller than that of solar glass. Therefore, commercialization decisions should prioritize efficiency and stability rather than environmental concerns.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)