scholarly journals Enhancement of Food Waste Management and Its Environmental Consequences

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1790
Author(s):  
Jan den Boer ◽  
Gudrun Obersteiner ◽  
Sebastian Gollnow ◽  
Emilia den Boer ◽  
Renata Bodnárné Sándor
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Biological Pretreatment ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Kitchen Waste ◽  
Considerable Saving ◽  
Positive Effects

This paper assesses the potential environmental effects of the optimization of the kitchen waste management in Opole. The separate collection of kitchen waste is improved by distribution of separate collection kits consisting of an in-home bin and 10 L biodegradable bags. The surplus of collected kitchen waste is diverted from treatment in a mechanical-biological pretreatment (MBP) along with the residual waste to anaerobic digestion (AD) with the biowaste. This has positive effects on European and Polish goals, ambitions, and targets, such as (i) increasing the level of renewables in the primary energy supply, (ii) decreasing the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, (iii) increasing the level of preparation for reuse and recycling of municipal waste. The environmental effects of 1 ton additionally separately collected and treated kitchen waste are determined by using life cycle assessment. It was shown that in all selected impact categories (global warming potential, marine eutrophication potential, acidification potential, and ozone depletion potential) a clear environmental benefit can be achieved. These benefits are mainly caused by the avoided emissions of electricity and heat from the Polish production mix, which are substituted by energy generation from biogas combustion. Optimization of the waste management system by diversion of kitchen waste from mechanical-biological pretreatment to anaerobic digestion can lead to considerable saving of 448 kg CO2-eq/t of waste diverted. With an estimated optimization potential for the demonstration site of 40 kg/inh·year for the city of Opole, this would lead to 680,000 t CO2-eq savings per year for the whole of Poland. The sensitivity analysis showed that with a choice for cleaner energy sources the results would, albeit lower, show a significant savings potential.

Anaerobic digestion as a sustainable solution for biosolids management by the Montreal Metropolitan Community

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 561-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Frigon ◽  
S.R. Guiot
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Municipal Solid Wastes ◽  
Methane Generation ◽  
Ghg Reduction ◽  
Waste Management Policy

The Quebec Waste Management Policy (1998–2008) is requesting that the municipalities prepare a waste management plan, including a global objective of 60% of these wastes to be diverted from landfill sites by reduction, re-usage, recycling and valorization. Around 5.8 million tons of wastes were generated on the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community in 2001 for a population of about 3.5 millions citizens. In this paper, we present different management scenarios in which anaerobic digestion was used as a valorization step, focusing on the energetic value of the methane produced and the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The four scenarios prepared cover the valorization of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, green wastes and excess sludge and showed potential methane generation of 17–140 Mm3 with a GHG reduction of 62,000–500,000 tons of CO2-equivalents.

scholarly journals Dynamic Modelling of LNG Powered Combined Energy Systems in Port Areas

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3640
Author(s):  
Davide Borelli ◽  
Francesco Devia ◽  
Corrado Schenone ◽  
Federico Silenzi ◽  
Luca A. Tagliafico
Keyword(s):  
Energy Savings ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Time Behavior ◽  
Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle ◽  
Integrated Energy System ◽  
Energy Share

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is a crucial resource to reduce the environmental impact of fossil-fueled vehicles, especially with regards to maritime transport, where LNG is increasingly used for ship bunkering. The present paper gives insights on how the installation of LNG tanks inside harbors can be capitalized to increase the energy efficiency of port cities and reduce GHG emissions. To this purpose, a novel integrated energy system is introduced. The Boil Off Gas (BOG) from LNG tanks is exploited in a combined plant, where heat and power are produced by a regenerated gas turbine cycle; at the same time, cold exergy from LNG regasification contributes to an increase in the efficiency of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. In the paper, the integrated energy system is simulated by means of dynamic modeling under daily variable working conditions. Results confirm that the model is stable and able to determine the time behavior of the integrated plant. Energy saving is evaluated, and daily trends of key thermophysical parameters are reported and discussed. The analysis of thermal recovering from the flue gases shows that it is possible to recover a large energy share from the turbine exhausts. Hence, the system can generate electricity for port cold ironing and, through a secondary brine loop, cold exergy for a refrigeration plant. Overall, the proposed solution allows primary energy savings up to 22% when compared with equivalent standard technologies with the same final user needs. The exploitation of an LNG regasification process through smart integration of energy systems and implementation of efficient energy grids can contribute to greener energy management in harbors.

Acid inhibition during anaerobic digestion of biodegradable kitchen waste

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 023118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benlin Dai ◽  
Jiming Xu ◽  
Yulong He ◽  
Peng Xiong ◽  
Xinfeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Acid Inhibition ◽  
Kitchen Waste

scholarly journals Environmental Effects on the Spatiotemporal Variability of Fish Larvae in the Western Guangdong Waters, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
Yuting Feng ◽  
Lijun Yao ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Jing Yu ◽  
Zhaojin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Fish Larvae ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Salinity ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Fishery Resources

Spawning grounds occupy an important position in the survival and reproduction of aquatic life, which plays an important role in the replenishment of fishery resources, especially in the China coasts where fishery resources are depleting. This study investigated environmental effects on the spatiotemporal variability of fish larvae in the western Guangdong waters (WGWs), on the basis of generalized additive models (GAMs) and center of gravity (CoG). Satellite data including sea surface salinity (SSS), sea surface temperature (SST), and in situ observations for fish larvae from April to June in 2014–2015 were used. Results showed that 40.3% of the total variation in fish larvae density was explained. SST, SSS, and depth showed positive effects in 23–24 °C and 27–30 °C, 24–32 PSU, and 0–60 m, and showed negative effects in 24–27 °C, 32–34.2 PSU, 60–80 m. Based on the stepwise GAMs, the most important factor was month, with a contribution of 10.6%, followed by longitude, offshore distance, depth, and latitude, with contributions of 7.0%, 7.0%, 6.3%, 4.2%, 3.9%, and 1.3%, respectively. Fish larvae CoG shifted northward by 0.6° N and eastwards by 0.13° E from April to June. The distribution of fish larvae in the WGWs was affected by complex submarine topography in the Qiongzhou Strait, coastal upwelling in the WGWs, and runoff from the Pearl River.

scholarly journals An Investigation of the Potential Adoption of Anaerobic Digestion for Energy Production in Irish Farms

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Sean O’Connor ◽  
Ehiaze Ehimen ◽  
Suresh C. Pillai ◽  
Niamh Power ◽  
Gary A. Lyons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
High Investment ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Technology Ranking

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been recognised as an effective means of simultaneously producing energy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite having a large agriculture sector, Ireland has experienced little uptake of the technology, ranking 20th within the EU-28. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the general opinions, willingness to adopt, and perceived obstacles of potential adopters of the technology. As likely primary users of this technology, a survey of Irish cattle farmers was conducted to assess the potential of on-farm AD for energy production in Ireland. The study seeks to understand farmers’ motivations, perceived barriers, and preferred business model. The study found that approximately 41% of the 91 respondents were interested in installing AD on their farming enterprise within the next five years. These Likely Adopters tended to have a higher level of education attainment, and together, currently hold 4379 cattle, potentially providing 37,122 t year−1 of wastes as feedstock, resulting in a potential CO2 reduction of 800.65 t CO2-eq. year−1. Moreover, the results indicated that the primary consideration preventing the implementation of AD is a lack of information regarding the technology and high investment costs. Of the Likely Adopters and Possible Adopters, a self-owned and operated plant was the preferred ownership structure, while 58% expressed an interest in joining a co-operative scheme. The findings generated provide valuable insights into the willingness of farmers to implement AD and guidance for its potential widespread adoption.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Bioplastics and Food Waste Disposal Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6894
Author(s):  
Shakira R. Hobbs ◽  
Tyler M. Harris ◽  
William J. Barr ◽  
Amy E. Landis
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Anaerobic Digester ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Cumulative Energy ◽  
Cumulative Energy Demand

The environmental impacts of five waste management scenarios for polylactic acid (PLA)-based bioplastics and food waste were quantified using life cycle assessment. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated the potential for a pretreatment process to accelerate the degradation of bioplastics and were modeled in two of the five scenarios assessed. The five scenarios analyzed in this study were: (1a) Anaerobic digestion (1b) Anaerobic digestion with pretreatment; (2a) Compost; (2a) Compost with pretreatment; (3) Landfill. Results suggested that food waste and pretreated bioplastics disposed of with an anaerobic digester offers life cycle and environmental net total benefits (environmental advantages/offsets) in several areas: ecotoxicity (−81.38 CTUe), eutrophication (0 kg N eq), cumulative energy demand (−1.79 MJ), global warming potential (0.19 kg CO2), and human health non-carcinogenic (−2.52 CTuh). Normalized results across all impact categories show that anaerobically digesting food waste and bioplastics offer the most offsets for ecotoxicity, eutrophication, cumulative energy demand and non-carcinogenic. Implications from this study can lead to nutrient and energy recovery from an anaerobic digester that can diversify the types of fertilizers and decrease landfill waste while decreasing dependency on non-renewable technologies. Thus, using anaerobic digestion to manage bioplastics and food waste should be further explored as a viable and sustainable solution for waste management.

The potential of bio-methane as bio-fuel/bio-energy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a qualitative assessment for Europe in a life cycle perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1683-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tilche ◽  
Michele Galatola
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Ghg Reduction

Anaerobic digestion is a well known process that (while still capable of showing new features) has experienced several waves of technological development. It was “born” as a wastewater treatment system, in the 1970s showed promise as an alternative energy source (in particular from animal waste), in the 1980s and later it became a standard for treating organic-matter-rich industrial wastewater, and more recently returned to the market for its energy recovery potential, making use of different biomasses, including energy crops. With the growing concern around global warming, this paper looks at the potential of anaerobic digestion in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to GHG reduction has been computed for the 27 EU countries on the basis of their 2005 Kyoto declarations and using life cycle data. The theoretical potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to Kyoto and EU post-Kyoto targets has been calculated. Two different possible biogas applications have been considered: electricity production from manure waste, and upgraded methane production for light goods vehicles (from landfill biogas and municipal and industrial wastewater treatment sludges). The useful heat that can be produced as by-product from biogas conversion into electricity has not been taken into consideration, as its real exploitation depends on local conditions. Moreover the amount of biogas already produced via dedicated anaerobic digestion processes has also not been included in the calculations. Therefore the overall gains achievable would be even higher than those reported here. This exercise shows that biogas may considerably contribute to GHG emission reductions in particular if used as a biofuel. Results also show that its use as a biofuel may allow for true negative GHG emissions, showing a net advantage with respect to other biofuels. Considering also energy crops that will become available in the next few years as a result of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, this study shows that biogas has the potential of covering almost 50% of the 2020 biofuel target of 10% of all automotive transport fuels, without implying a change in land use. Moreover, considering the achievable GHG reductions, a very large carbon emission trading “value” could support the investment needs. However, those results were obtained through a “qualitative” assessment. In order to produce robust data for decision makers, a quantitative sustainability assessment should be carried out, integrating different methodologies within a life cycle framework. The identification of the most appropriate policy for promoting the best set of options is then discussed.

Waste management studies in a Brazilian microregion: GHG emissions balance and LFG energy project economic feasibility analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Vasconcelos Rosa Pin ◽  
Regina Mambeli Barros ◽  
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora ◽  
Ivan Felipe Silva dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Feasibility Analysis
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