Recent advances in valorization of organic municipal waste into energy using biorefinery approach, environment and economic analysis

Turning Trash to Treasure: The Influence of Carbon Waste Source on the Photothermal Behaviour of Plasmonic Titanium Carbide Interfaces

Pyrolysis of carbonaceous waste material has become an attractive method of recycling to generate value added products. Alongside pyrolytic oil and gas fractions, the thermal degradation forms solid pyrolytic char, which can be further processed. Local waste materials, including birch wood residue (BW), Reynoutria japonica stems (KW), spent coffee grounds (CG), tire rubber (TR), and lobster shells (LS) we assessed to form pyrolytic char. Using a simple acid treatment step on the chars, this study has shown successfully incorporate many of them into the low-temperature synthesis of plasmonic TiC NPs. Each char was shown to display distinctive physical and chemical characteristics, which was exploited to synthesize TiC NPs with unique properties. To study the plasmonic behaviour of each TiC sample, solar driven desalination experiments were conducted. TiC formed from TR char achieved broadband absorbance of ~95 % of the solar spectrum, reaching a near-perfect solar-to-vapor generation efficiency of 95 %, or a water generation rate of 1.40±0.01 kg m-2 h-1 under one-sun illumination. This makes it the best performing of all chars tested, and among the top performers reported in the literature to date. The evaporators maintain activity over time and under strongly hypersaline conditions.

A strategic review on sustainable approaches in municipal solid waste management andenergy recovery: Role of artificial intelligence,economic stability andlife cycle assessment

The consumption of energy levels has increased in association with economic growth and concurrently increased the energy demand from renewable sources. The need under Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) intends to explore various technological advancements for the utilization of waste to energy. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has been reported as constructive feedstock to produce biofuels, biofuel carriers and biochemicals using energy-efficient technologies in risk freeways. The present review contemplates risk assessment and challenges in sorting and transportation of MSW and different aspects of conversion of MSW into energy are critically analysed. The circular bioeconomy of energy production strategies and management of waste are also analysed. The current scenario on MSW and its impacts on the environment are elucidated in conjunction with various policies and amendments equipped for the competent management of MSW in order to fabricate a sustained environment.

Breakdown of biomass for energy applications using microwave pyrolysis: A technological review

The agricultural industry faces a permanent increase in waste generation, which is associated with the fast-growing population. Due to the environmental hazards, there is a paramount demand for generating electricity and value-added products from renewable sources. The selection of the conversion method is crucial to develop an eco-friendly, efficient and economically viable energy application. This manuscript investigates the influencing factors that affect the quality and yield of the biochar, bio-oil and biogas during the microwave pyrolysis process, evaluating the biomass nature and diverse combinations of operating conditions. The by-product yield depends on the intrinsic physicochemical properties of biomass. Feedstock with high lignin content is favourable for biochar production, and the breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose leads to higher syngas formation. Biomass with high volatile matter concentration promotes the generation of bio-oil and biogas. The pyrolysis system's conditions of input power, microwave heating suspector, vacuum, reaction temperature, and the processing chamber geometry were influence factors for optimising the energy recovery. Increased input power and microwave susceptor addition lead to high heating rates, which were beneficial for biogas production, but the excess pyrolysis temperature induce a reduction of bio-oil yield.

Municipal solid waste treatment for bioenergy and resource production: Potential technologies, techno-economic-environmental aspects and implications of membrane-based recovery

World estimated municipal solid waste generating at an alarming rate and its disposal is a severe concern of today's world. It is equivalent to 0.79 kg/d per person footprint and causing climate change; health hazards and other environmental issues which need attention on an urgent basis. Waste to energy (WTE) considers as an alternative renewable energy potential to recover energy from waste and reduce the global waste problems. WTE reduced the burden on fossil fuels for energy generation, waste volumes, environmental, and greenhouse gases emissions. This critical review aims to evaluate the source of solid waste generation and the possible routes of waste management such as biological landfill and thermal treatment (Incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification). Moreover, a comparative evaluation of different technologies was reviewed in terms of economic and environmental aspects along with their limitations and advantages. Critical literature revealed that gasification seemed to be the efficient route and environmentally sustainable. In addition, a framework for the gasification process, gasifier types, and selection of gasifiers for MSW was presented. The country-wise solutions recommendation was proposed for solid waste management with the least impact on the environment. Furthermore, key issues and potential perspectives that require urgent attention to facilitate global penetration are highlighted. Finally, practical implications of membrane and comparison membrane-based separation technology with other conventional technologies to recover bioenergy and resources were discussed. It is expected that this study will lead towards practical solution for future advancement in terms of economic and environmental concerns, and also provide economic feasibility and practical implications for global penetration.

Upstream processes of citrus fruit waste biorefinery for complete valorization

Citrus fruit waste (CW) is a useful biomass and its valorization into fuels and biochemicals has received much attention. For economic feasibility, increased efficiency of the preceding extraction and enzyme saccharification processes is necessary. However, at present, there is a lack of systematic reviews addressing these two integral upstream processes in concert for CW biorefinery. Here, the state-of-the-art advancements in enzyme extraction and saccharification processes-using which relevant essential oils, flavonoids, and sugars can be obtained-are reviewed. Specifically, the extraction options for two commercially available CW-derived products, essential oils and pectin, are discussed. With respect to enzyme saccharification, the use of an undefined commercial mixture routinely results in suboptimal sugar production. In this respect, applicable strategies for enzyme mixture customization are suggested for maximizing the hydrolytic efficiency of CW. The enzyme degradation system for CW-derived carbohydrates and its extensive application for sugar production are also discussed.

Understanding the management of household food waste and its engineering for sustainable valorization- A state-of-the-art review

Increased urbanization and industrialization accelerated demand for energy, large-scale waste output, and negative environmental consequences. Therefore, the implementation of an effective solid-waste-management (SWM) policy for the handling of food waste is of great importance. The global food waste generation is estimated at about 1.6 gigatons/yr which attributes to an economic revenue of 750 billion USD. It can be converted into high-value enzymes, surfactants, Poly-hydroxybutyrate, biofuels, etc. However, the heterogeneous composition of food with high organic load and varying moisture content makes their transformation into value-added products difficult. This review aims to bring forth the possibilities and repercussions of food waste management. The socio-economic challenges related to SWM are comprehensively discussed particularly in terms of environmental concern. The engineering aspect in the collection, storage, and biotransformation of food waste into useful value-added products such as biofuels, advanced biomaterials, bioactive compounds, and platform chemicals are critically reviewed for efficient food waste management.

Process evaluation and techno-economic analysis of biodiesel production from marine macroalgae Codium tomentosum

In the current study, a seaweed Codium tomentosum was used as a source for the production of biodiesel. The maximum oil from marine macroalgae was recovered using ultrasound-assisted pretreatment. The oil yield was found to be maximum at optimal conditions such as 5% biomass wetness, 0.18 mm biomass size, 6:1 extraction solvent: biomass ratio, extraction temperature, and time as 55 °C and 140 min respectively. The extracted oil was transesterified using solidsolid nanocatalyst produced from waste clay doped with Zn. The maximum biodiesel conversion was found to be 90.5% at optimum conditions. The marine macroalgae C. tomentosum was found to be one of the potential sources for biodiesel production. The techno-economic analysis of the overall biodiesel production (20 MT/batch) process was investigated. The plant payback period is 8.59 years with a positive NPV of 1381 M$/yr.

Techno-economic analysis of food waste valorization for integrated production of polyhydroxyalkanoates and biofuels

This study focused on the techno-economic analysis of integrated polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and biofuels such as biohydrogen, bioethanol, and 2,3-butanediol production from food waste (FW). Based on previous literature studies, the integrated process was developed. The process plan produced 2.01 MT of PHAs, 0.29 MT of biohydrogen, 4.79 MT of bioethanol, and 6.79 MT of 2,3-butanediol per day, from 50 MT of FW. The process plan has a positive net present value of 4.47 M$, a 13.68% return on investment, a payback period of 7.31 yr, and an internal rate of return of 11.95%. Sensitivity analysis was used to examine the economic feasibility. The actual minimum selling price (MSP) of PHAs was 4.83 $/kg, and the lowest achievable MSP with 30% solid loading is 2.41 $/kg. The solid loading in the hydrolysis stage and the price of byproducts have a major impact on the economic factors and MSP of PHAs.

Valorization of agro-industrial wastes for biorefinery process and circular bioeconomy: A critical review

Energy recovery from waste resources is a promising approach towards environmental consequences. In the prospect of environmental sustainability, utilization of agro-industrial waste residues as feedstock for biorefinery processes have gained widespread attention. In the agro-industry, various biomasses are exposed to different unit processes for offering value to various agro-industrial waste materials. Agro-industrial wastes can generate a substantial amount of valuable products such as fuels, chemicals, energy, electricity, and by-products. This paper reviews the methodologies for valorization of agro-industrial wastes and their exploitation for generation of renewable energy products. In addition, management of agro-industrial wastes and products from agro-industrial wastes have been elaborated. The waste biorefinery process using agro-industrial wastes does not only offer energy, it also offers environmentally sustainable modes, which address effective management of waste streams. This review aims to highlight the cascading use of biomass from agro-industrial wastes into the systemic approach for economic development.

Stable, high-rate anaerobic digestion through vacuum stripping of digestate

This study coupled anaerobic digestion with vacuum stripping to achieve stable digestion at higher organic loading rates. Besides mitigation of ammonia inhibition, vacuum stripping of digestate improves solids solubilization and dewaterability due to vacuum-enhanced low-temperature thermal and mild-alkaline treatment under the vacuum stripping conditions (65 °C, 25-27 kPa, and pH 9). Batch vacuum stripping for 8 h removed 97.4-99.4% of ammonia, increased the dissolved fraction of volatile solids (VS) by 72.5%, and improved dewaterability with 30% decreases in time-to-filter and viscosity. The digesters having 2.9% of digestate replaced daily by vacuum stripped digestate were stable up to organic loading rate of 4.3 g-VS/L_reactor/d with biogas production at 3.15 L/L_reactor/d, while the digesters without stripping attained biogas production of 1.90 L/L_reactor/d at its highest stable organic loading rate of 2.5 g-VS/L_reactor/d. Acetoclastic Methanosaeta were the dominant methanogens, which became more resistant to ammonia stress in the digesters with vacuum stripping.

Moving toward a framework for electricity and heat equivalence in energy systems analysis

Sustaining, maintaining, and upgrading the electricity grid, while meeting decarbonization goals is a challenge facing policymakers, regulators, grid operators, and investors. Simultaneously meeting demands for future capacity, retiring older inefficient technologies, and addressing externalities from energy production and use requires more diverse and inclusive technologies to avoid constraints and shortfalls in grid capability. Changing the energy production paradigm by encouraging alternative technologies was a key driver for FERC Order 2222. This stimulus for developing new small-scale generation will complement and supplement the existing fleet only if it attracts new investment. This investment must reflect technology that goes beyond the energy-only characteristics of traditional generation, creating systems where suites of energy-equivalent outputs are enhanced by environmental quality benefits and offsets. We use energy system designs to highlight the contribution that measuring and accounting for equivalency values provides net increases in capacity, electricity, and alternative fuels while simultaneously reducing carbon waste impacts.

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Methodology for calculating net carbon impact from energy systems is proposed

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Alternative energy system contributions to the grid are evaluated

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Reducing net carbon emissions using distributed energy resources are investigated

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Electric capacity and heat offsets are offered as systems options for grid operators