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Residual Resource Recovery for Bioenergy and Biomolecule Production in a Circular Economy: Sustainable Process Design and Technoeconomic Feasibility

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (17 February 2023) | Viewed by 15982

Special Issue Editors

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: anaerobic digestion; biogas; biotechnology; biochemical engineering
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: biochemical process synthesis and design; bioenergy production; biobased chemical production; biomass biorefining; sustainable solvent design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We have the pleasure to invite you to a Special Issue of Energies entitled “Residual Resource Recovery for Bioenergy and Biomolecule Production in a Circular Economy: Sustainable Process Design and Technoeconomic Feasibility”.

Residual resources are currently underutilized, and their full potential remains to be realized. Thus, micro- and macronutrients are lost, creating adverse environmental problems. Moreover, the uncontrolled degradation of biowaste in the natural environment is associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the depletion of fossil resources has forced the engineering of new sustainable ways to produce the chemicals used in everyday products. Hence, urgent actions are needed to boost the green transition in the frame of a circular economy.

The main aim of this Special Issue is to reveal efficient and sustainable approaches to developing the next generation of bioenergy, biochemical, and biorefinery systems.

The scientific areas to be covered in this Special Issues may include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel biomass pretreatment methods;
  • Bioenergy production including gaseous (biogas, biomethane, etc.), liquid (e.g., methanol) and solid products (e.g., refuse-derived fuel);
  • Biomolecule production from residual resources;
  • Novel downstream process design;
  • Soil amendment with digestate;
  • Nutrient removal and recovery;
  • Deciphering microbial communities in bioprocesses including the fate of contaminants (pathogens, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, etc.);
  • The biodegradation of microplastics;
  • The mathematical modeling, optimization, and control of bioprocesses;
  • The sustainability evaluation of biotechnological processes;
  • The ecoefficiency assessment of biomass conversion processes.

Dr. Panagiotis Tsapekos
Dr. Merlin Alvarado-Morales
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. Energies 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 2600 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

  • Bioenergy
  • Biomolecules
  • Biorefinery
  • Building block
  • Process design
  • Sustainability

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2397 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Antioxidant Production for Hygienic Disinfection Using Bioextractants from Lavender and Oregano Distillation Process
by Aikaterini Itziou, Konstantinos Zaralis, Annita Theofanous, Maria Louloudi, Georgios Rozos, Ioanna A. Vasiliadou, Evangelia Lakioti, Vayos Karayannis and Constantinos Tsanaktsidis
Energies 2023, 16(22), 7534; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227534 - 12 Nov 2023
Viewed by 697
Abstract
In the current study, the production of novel antioxidants for hygienic disinfection against common pathogenic bacteria, based on the incorporation of bioextractant oils/waters from either lavender or oregano distillates is proposed in the framework of circular economy. For the first time, the main [...] Read more.
In the current study, the production of novel antioxidants for hygienic disinfection against common pathogenic bacteria, based on the incorporation of bioextractant oils/waters from either lavender or oregano distillates is proposed in the framework of circular economy. For the first time, the main compounds found in distillation products (oils/waters), specifically of lavender Lavandula angustifolia (lynalyl acetate and linalool) and of oregano Oreganum vulgare (carvacrol, thymol, and p-cymene) are presented. The analyses of both the lavender and oregano essential oils/waters indicate excellent physicochemical properties and microbial absence. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of all distillates as DPPH radical scavengers is assessed. The results confirm that the essential oils of both oregano and lavender possess superior antioxidant activity to their corresponding waters, while the oregano oil exhibited far better antioxidant activity than the lavender oil, as 1 mL of oregano oil was able to consume 45 μmoles of DPPH radicals. Overall, our research findings suggest that the particular lavender and oregano bioextractants produced possess important potential to address the resistance of bacteria from the perspective of their wider exploitation in therapeutic or preventive medicine, thus contributing to enhancing public health. Full article
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22 pages, 2555 KiB  
Article
Aspen Plus® Process Simulation Model of the Biomass Ash-Based Treatment of Anaerobic Digestate for Production of Fertilizer and Upgradation of Biogas
by Alejandro Moure Abelenda, Abdikhani Ali, Kirk T. Semple and Farid Aiouache
Energies 2023, 16(7), 3039; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073039 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
The use of the commercial simulator Aspen Plus® could bring an amelioration in the accuracy of the predictions of the chemical species composition in the output streams of the anaerobic digestion process. Compared to the traditionally employed lumped models, which are elaborated [...] Read more.
The use of the commercial simulator Aspen Plus® could bring an amelioration in the accuracy of the predictions of the chemical species composition in the output streams of the anaerobic digestion process. Compared to the traditionally employed lumped models, which are elaborated from scratch, the models implemented in Aspen Plus® have access to a broad library of thermodynamic and phenomena transport properties. In the present investigation, a process simulation model for anaerobic digestion has been prepared by including a stoichiometric-equilibria reactor to calculate the extent of the ionization of the molecules present in the anaerobic digestate. The model characterizes the technical feasibility of anaerobic digestate stabilization, by means of biomass ash-based treatment, for the production of an organic fertilizer and potential biogas upgradation with the synthesis of ammonium carbonate. First of all, the titration of the manure digestate with the hydrochloric acid showed that a dose of 3.18 mEq/g would be required to attain the targeted pH of zero-point charge, upon addition of the sewage sludge ash in a ratio to the manure digestate of 0.6 ± 0.2%. Secondly, the profiles of ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane found in the biogas agree with the pH of the treated digestate and enable the upgrading of the biogas with the production of NH4HCO3. The model needs to be further developed to ensure the standards are attained in all output streams of stabilized anaerobic digestate, biomethane, and isolated added-value chemical fertilizers. Full article
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14 pages, 2125 KiB  
Article
Multi-Criteria Analysis of the Influence of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Techniques on Methane Production
by Magdalena Zdeb, Marta Bis and Artur Przywara
Energies 2023, 16(1), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010468 - 01 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1083
Abstract
Methane from environmentally friendly anaerobic digestion may be an alternative non-renewable source that is depleting. One of the substrates for that process may be lignocellulose-based materials. The article concerns comparing the environmental impact as well as technical and energy indicators of alternative ways [...] Read more.
Methane from environmentally friendly anaerobic digestion may be an alternative non-renewable source that is depleting. One of the substrates for that process may be lignocellulose-based materials. The article concerns comparing the environmental impact as well as technical and energy indicators of alternative ways of producing methane from the anaerobic digestion of Pennisetum hybrid. Five scenarios were analyzed: methane production from the anaerobic digestion of the raw grass, the grass subjected to alkaline pretreatment (with 2% NaOH solution at two temperatures), and the grass subjected to mechanical pretreatment (ground to obtain particle sizes <0.18 mm and 0.25–0.38 mm). Multi-criteria decision (MCA) analysis was carried out with the use of five indicators, including life cycle assessment results as well as methane production parameters, in order to optimize this sustainable way of bioenergy production. The purpose of this study was to identify the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of Pennisetum hybrid pretreatment in order to optimize the methane production process in terms of environmental, technical, and economic aspects. According to the obtained results, it was stated that the most advantageous solution for the majority of the analyzed indicators turned out to be the mechanical pretreatment with grinding the lignocellulosic biomass into a particle size <0.18 mm. Full article
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13 pages, 1415 KiB  
Article
Polyhydroxybutyrate-Natural Fiber Reinforcement Biocomposite Production and Their Biological Recyclability through Anaerobic Digestion
by Danh H. Vu, Amir Mahboubi, Jorge A. Ferreira, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh and Dan Åkesson
Energies 2022, 15(23), 8934; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238934 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1454
Abstract
The existing recycling methods of PHA-based material are ineffective in terms of increasing resource efficiency and the production of high value end-of-life products. Therefore, in this study, a novel approach of acidogenic fermentation was proposed to recycle PHB-based composites reinforced with natural fibers [...] Read more.
The existing recycling methods of PHA-based material are ineffective in terms of increasing resource efficiency and the production of high value end-of-life products. Therefore, in this study, a novel approach of acidogenic fermentation was proposed to recycle PHB-based composites reinforced with natural fibers such as cellulose, chitin, chitosan, orange waste, sawdust, soy protein, and starch. The inclusion of cellulose, chitosan, and sawdust improved the impact properties of the composites while other fillers had various effects on the mechanical properties. These three composites and neat PHB were subsequently subjected to biological degradation via acidogenic digestion to determine the possibility of converting PHB-based composites into volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Two different pH levels of 6 and 10 were applied to assess the effect of pH on the bioconversion and inhibition of the methanogenesis. The results showed promising PHB degradation, contributing to considerable VFA production of 2.5 g/L at pH 6 after 47 days. At pH 6, the presence of the natural fibers in the biocomposites promoted the degradation rate. On the contrary, pH 10 proved to be more suitable for the degradation of the fibers. The VFA which is produced can be recirculated into PHB production, fitting with the concept of a circulating bioeconomy. Full article
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18 pages, 4809 KiB  
Article
Techno-Economic Assessment of Biological Biogas Upgrading Based on Danish Biogas Plants
by Néméhie Lawson, Merlin Alvarado-Morales, Panagiotis Tsapekos and Irini Angelidaki
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8252; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248252 - 08 Dec 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3376
Abstract
Biological biogas upgrading with H2 derived from excess renewable electricity was modeled and simulated in PROII® (AVEVA Group plc, Cambridge, UK). An economic analysis was performed for a biogas plant processing 100,000 tons of biomass (substrate) per year. The biogas and [...] Read more.
Biological biogas upgrading with H2 derived from excess renewable electricity was modeled and simulated in PROII® (AVEVA Group plc, Cambridge, UK). An economic analysis was performed for a biogas plant processing 100,000 tons of biomass (substrate) per year. The biogas and biomethane production simulation results were validated with laboratory experimental data, as well as full-scale data obtained from biogas plants. A biomethane production cost of 0.47 €/Nm3 was calculated, while the minimum biomethane selling price for NPV = 0 was equal to 0.66 €/Nm3, considering a H2 price of 1.0 €/kg. The feasibility analysis indicated that the H2-related costs were the major contributor to the capital and operation costs due to high expenses associated with the in-situ H2 storage facility and the purchasing of H2, respectively. Compared to conventional upgrading methods, biological biogas upgrading has a higher capital and production cost, which can be reduced by increasing the plant capacity. The sensitivity analysis showed that the profitability is very sensitive to biomethane prices, capital investment, and the H2 price. Full article
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16 pages, 3667 KiB  
Article
Exploitation of Liquid Digestate as the Sole Nutrient Source for Floating Hydroponic Cultivation of Baby Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in Greenhouses
by Georgios K. Ntinas, Filippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras and Panagiotis G. Kougias
Energies 2021, 14(21), 7199; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217199 - 02 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2138
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture relies on replacing fossil-based mineral fertilizers, which are highly cost-energetic to produce, and demand extensive use of scarce natural resources. Today, agronomic practices within the concept of circular economy are emerging and, as such, the exploitation of digestate as a biofertilizer [...] Read more.
Sustainable agriculture relies on replacing fossil-based mineral fertilizers, which are highly cost-energetic to produce, and demand extensive use of scarce natural resources. Today, agronomic practices within the concept of circular economy are emerging and, as such, the exploitation of digestate as a biofertilizer and soil amender is extensively investigated. This study aimed at evaluating the agronomic potential of liquid digestate as the sole nutrient source for hydroponic cultivation of baby lettuce in greenhouses. Growth rate, physiological responses, concentration of secondary metabolites, and nutrient uptake were compared between baby leaf lettuce grown in digestate in concentrations of 5, 10, and 20% diluted in water (either with or without pH adjustment) and in Hoagland solution (control). Results showed that the production yield was negatively correlated with the concentration of the added digestate. Nevertheless, the antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced in 5 and 10% liquid digestate treatments compared to the control. Additionally, the nutrient composition in the baby leaf lettuce and the reduction in nutrient concentrations in the growth media demonstrated efficient mineral uptake by the plants. Thus, the application of liquid digestate as a fertilizer in hydroponic systems is a promising practice to recover residual resources, leading to the transition towards more sustainable greenhouse production. Full article
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41 pages, 11315 KiB  
Article
Biogas Produced by Anaerobic Digestion Process and Biodiesel from Date Seeds
by Alla Mohammed Alrefai, Raid Alrefai, Khaled Y. Benyounis and Joseph Stokes
Energies 2021, 14(16), 4851; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164851 - 09 Aug 2021
Viewed by 1994
Abstract
Dates are an important food source in many countries that produce different types of dates. Dates have a significant amount of waste, either from planting or eating them. A large amount of seeds are produced from eating it. This study is considered to [...] Read more.
Dates are an important food source in many countries that produce different types of dates. Dates have a significant amount of waste, either from planting or eating them. A large amount of seeds are produced from eating it. This study is considered to explore the quantity and the quality of biogas produced from the Sagai date seeds through the anaerobic digestion process (AD) before and after oil extraction and exploitation of oil in biodiesel production. In addition, the study aims to tests the resulted digestate from the AD process. This test was performed to ensure that the digestate contains the three basics elements (N, P and K) to be used in agriculture. In its preparation, the date seeds were ground after washing via a grinding machine without exposure to any other treatment process. Design of Experiments (DOE) was applied in determining the effect of temperature, volatile solid and sludge quantity on the resulted biogas. The energy balance at the optimum results was calculated. The highest biogas volumes from the AD of date seed before and after oil extraction were 4140 cc and 3534 cc, respectively, at 37 °C, 4.2 g-VS and 50% sludge quantity. While the highest methane/g-VS were 1143.8 cc/g-VS and 949.6 cc/g-VS, respectively, at 37 °C, 1.1 g-VS and 50% sludge quantity. The oil obtained using the Soxhlet method at 70 °C, 1:4 ratio of date seeds to n-hexane solvent and 5 h reaction time was 16% of the date seed mass (79% biodiesel and 9% glycerine). Therefore, the resultant effect from the main findings indicated that the study supports the investigation of the possibility of exploiting date seeds in the production of biogas, biodiesel and bio-fertiliser. Full article
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14 pages, 3027 KiB  
Review
Managing the Effluents of Anaerobic Fermentations by Bioprocess Schemes Involving Membrane Bioreactors and Bio-Electrochemical Systems: A Mini-Review
by Gábor Z. Szelényi, Róbert Kurdi, Nándor Nemestóthy, Katalin Bélafi-Bakó and Péter Bakonyi
Energies 2022, 15(5), 1643; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15051643 - 23 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1725
Abstract
Anaerobic bioprocesses, such as anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation, provide energy carriers in the form of methane and hydrogen gases, respectively. However, their wastewater-type residues, that is, the fermentation effluents, must be treated carefully due to the incomplete and non-selective conversion of organic [...] Read more.
Anaerobic bioprocesses, such as anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation, provide energy carriers in the form of methane and hydrogen gases, respectively. However, their wastewater-type residues, that is, the fermentation effluents, must be treated carefully due to the incomplete and non-selective conversion of organic matter fed to the actual system. For these reasons, the effluents contain various secondary metabolites and unutilized substrate, in most cases. Only a fraction of anaerobic effluents can be directly applied for fertilization under a moderate climate. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies may be used to clean the remainder, but that approach leads to a net loss of energy and of potentially useful agricultural input materials (organic carbon and NPK fertilizer substitutes). The rationale of this paper is to provide an overview of promising new research results in anaerobic effluent management strategies as a part of technological downstream that could fit the concept of new-generation biorefinery schemes aiming towards zero-waste discharge, while keeping in mind environmental protection, as well as economical perspectives. According to the literature, the effluents of the two above processes can be treated and valorized relying either on membrane bioreactors (in case of anaerobic digestion) or bio-electrochemical apparatus (for dark fermentation). In this work, relevant findings in the literature will be reviewed and analyzed to demonstrate the possibilities, challenges, and useful technical suggestions for realizing enhanced anaerobic effluent management. Both membrane technology and bio-electrochemical systems have the potential to improve the quality of anaerobic effluents, either separately or in combination as an integrated system. Full article
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