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Applied Sciences
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Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization
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Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2024 | Viewed by 3298

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eleni Kastanaki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece
Interests: solid waste management; waste valorization; biomass waste; resource recovery; circular economy; zero waste; electric and electronic waste; electric vehicle waste batteries; photovoltaic waste
Dr. Kaixin Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: eco-friendly polymers; biomass-derived polymers; biomass conversion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue entitled "Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization". Rapid economic and population growth, as well as previous waste disposal patterns, have caused the generation of large amounts of solid waste from all kinds of activities (domestic, industrial, agricultural, other). The current waste management practices recognize waste as a value-added ‘resource’. New or improved technologies aiming at resource recovery and utilization are challenging but necessary for the transition to a prosperous and sustainable society. 

This Special Issue presents the recent advances in waste resource utilization, recovery, recycling and circular waste management practices. New concepts to implement circular economy management in various sectors are presented.

The topics of this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

  • Waste recycling;
  • Resource recovery;
  • Novel technologies in waste treatment;
  • Electric and electronic waste;
  • Construction waste;
  • Environmental impact assessment of waste management.

This Special Issue aims to publish research contributions illustrating the recent research achievements and progress in waste resource utilization. It calls for original research, reviews and communications including perspectives on the current state of waste utilization and resource recovery.

Dr. Eleni Kastanaki
Dr. Kaixin Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • waste management
  • waste utilization
  • resource recovery
  • waste processing technologies
  • recycling
  • e-waste
  • urban mining
  • construction waste
  • waste minimization
  • circular economy
  • economic analysis
  • sustainability

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 14137 KiB  
Article
Steam Explosion-Based Method for the Extraction of Cellulose and Lignin from Rice Straw Waste
by Víctor M. Serrano-Martínez, Henoc Pérez-Aguilar, María Pilar Carbonell-Blasco, Francisca Arán-Ais and Elena Orgilés-Calpena
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14052059 - 01 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1133
Abstract
This paper focuses on the optimisation of an efficient extraction process for cellulose and lignin from rice straw waste from the Albufera of Valencia using the steam explosion method. This method is particularly pertinent given the environmental and economic challenges posed by the [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on the optimisation of an efficient extraction process for cellulose and lignin from rice straw waste from the Albufera of Valencia using the steam explosion method. This method is particularly pertinent given the environmental and economic challenges posed by the current disposal practices of agricultural waste. The technique comprises a high-temperature cooking stage followed by instantaneous decompression, effectively altering the biomass’s physical and chemical properties to enhance its surface area and porosity. Our adaptation of the steam explosion technique specifically addresses the challenges of rice straw waste, marking a significant departure from previous applications. This innovation is crucial in addressing the urgent need for more sustainable waste management practices, as it effectively deconstructs the lignocellulosic matrix of rice straw. This facilitates the selective extraction of cellulose at a 70% efficiency, with a 20% yield and the subsequent recovery of lignin. The results of this study are significant for sustainable biomaterial production, offering novel insights into optimising these crucial biomass components. By refining the process and focusing on critical parameters, our work advances the application of steam explosion methods for agricultural waste, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. By utilising rice straw biowaste, this research not only proposes a solution to a pressing environmental issue but also demonstrates the potential to create new market opportunities, increase the economic value for rice producers, and significantly reduce the environmental footprint of existing waste disposal methods. The holistic and ecological approach of this study underscores the vital need for innovative strategies in agricultural waste management, positioning the valorisation of rice straw waste as a key component in the pursuit of environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization)
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14 pages, 1310 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Thermal Energy Potential of Waste Products from Fruit Preparation and Processing Industry
by Petr Bača, Vladimír Mašán, Petr Vanýsek, Patrik Burg, Tomáš Binar, Pavel Suchý and Lenka Vaňková
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031080 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 564
Abstract
In the context of a changing climate and increasing efforts to use renewable energy sources and waste materials and to green the environment, new sources and technologies for energy recovery from waste are being sought. This study evaluates the possibilities of energy generation [...] Read more.
In the context of a changing climate and increasing efforts to use renewable energy sources and waste materials and to green the environment, new sources and technologies for energy recovery from waste are being sought. This study evaluates the possibilities of energy generation potential from waste products of fruit species used in the food processing industry. The results indicate good potential for energy use of materials from fruit processing due to low input moisture content of around 15 wt. %, an average energy lower heating value (LHV) of 16.5 MJ·kg−1, an average low ash content of 4.9% and meeting most of the emission limits of similar biofuels. Elemental analysis and combustion residue studies indicate safe operation within existing standards. The results of our analyses and experience from similar studies allow us to recommend most of the studied waste materials for energy generation use directly in processing plants at the local level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization)
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12 pages, 3588 KiB  
Article
Potential Application of Natural Fibres for the Reinforcement of Unpaved Forest Roads—Response after RL-CBR Tests
by David Miranda Carlos, Daniela Rodrigues, Catarina Martins, Joaquim Macedo and Margarida Pinho-Lopes
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031006 - 24 Jan 2024
Viewed by 534
Abstract
Unpaved roads are essential as transportation infrastructure. These roads are traditionally built utilizing local soils and aggregates. The application of different materials to improve the strength and the overall performance of these road solutions has been investigated. This study focuses on the assessment [...] Read more.
Unpaved roads are essential as transportation infrastructure. These roads are traditionally built utilizing local soils and aggregates. The application of different materials to improve the strength and the overall performance of these road solutions has been investigated. This study focuses on the assessment of the suitability of reinforcing a fine soil using natural fibres from the forest value chain—specifically, pine needles—for unpaved forest roads. The resilient response of both unreinforced and reinforced soils was assessed with RL-CBR tests (California Bearing tests with repeated load) for different percentages of natural fibres incorporated into the soil. The force–penetration response, CBR value, recoverable and permanent displacements, and equivalent modulus were estimated. The effect of different load stages on the elastic response of both unreinforced and reinforced soils was also evaluated. The CBR values improved with the addition of pine needles; the best response was observed for specimens reinforced with 1% (mass) of these natural fibres (the CBR value increased by 45%). The equivalent modulus also was improved, showing that the stiffness of the soil increased with the inclusion of reinforcement. The findings imply that RL-CBR studies offer a promising method for obtaining important design parameters, especially for unpaved forest roads where investments in soil characterization are frequently limited. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization)
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15 pages, 3874 KiB  
Article
Gasification Performance of Barley Straw Waste Blended with Lignite for Syngas Production under Steam or Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere
by Despina Vamvuka and Konstantina Zacheila
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020665 - 12 Jan 2024
Viewed by 580
Abstract
The gasification performance of lignite/barley straw mixtures for syngas production was investigated. The experiments were carried out under a steam or carbon dioxide atmosphere, in fixed-bed and thermogravimetric–mass spectrometry systems. The thermal behavior, reactivity, conversion, product gas composition, liquid and gaseous by-products and [...] Read more.
The gasification performance of lignite/barley straw mixtures for syngas production was investigated. The experiments were carried out under a steam or carbon dioxide atmosphere, in fixed-bed and thermogravimetric–mass spectrometry systems. The thermal behavior, reactivity, conversion, product gas composition, liquid and gaseous by-products and interactions between fuels were determined and correlated with the structural characteristics and inherent minerals in ashes, which were analyzed via mineralogical, chemical and fusibility tests. Devolatilization of the materials up to 600 °C resulted in the carbon enrichment of chars and a 30–90-fold increase in the specific surface area. Gaseous and liquid by-products with higher heating values of 5–7 MJ/m3 and 20–28 MJ/kg could offer valuable energy. Upon steam gasification up to 1000 °C, product gas was enriched in hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas yield and heating value of the gas mixture were higher for barley straw fuel (0.77 m3/kg, 11.4 MJ/m3), which, when blended with the lignite, produced upgraded products. Upon carbon dioxide gasification up to 1000 °C, barley straw char exhibited a 3-times higher rate than the lignite, as well as higher conversion (94.5% vs. 62.9%) and a higher syngas yield (0.84 m3/kg vs. 0.55 m3/kg). Lignite/barley straw blends showed synergistic effects and presented higher gasification reactivity and conversion in comparison to lignite. The overall performance of lignite was improved with the steam reagent, while that of barley straw was improved with the carbon dioxide reagent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Waste Resource Utilization)
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