Potential of electricity generation by organic wastes in Latin America: a techno-economic-environmental analysis

Miramontes-Martínez, L.R.; Rivas-García, Pasiano; Briones-Cristerna, Rafael Arturo; Abel-Seabra, Joaquim Eugenio; Padilla‐Rivera, Alejandro; Botello-Álvarez, José Enrique; Alcalá-Rodríguez, M.M.; Levasseur, Annie

doi:10.1007/s13399-022-03393-1

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Conversely, the lower global warming potential category of the ensiling process could be attributed to negligible gaseous emissions. Despite generating both electrical energy and solid biofertilizer as primary products, the AD scenario proposed by Miramontes-Martínez et al [48] exhibits a higher global warming potential than our AD coupling with a subsequent composting process alternative, i.e., −2.8 and −287.2 kg CO 2 eq./t, respectively (Table 3 and Figure 3). This disparity in the global warming potential category can be attributed to several factors.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 64%

Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market

Trujillo-Reyes,

Jiménez-Páez,

Serrano

et al. 2023

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Landfilling and incineration are the most widely used methods for the management and treatment of fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) in Mediterranean markets, despite their potential environmental impact. A comparative life cycle assessment was conducted in this study to evaluate the environmental improvements from replacing the current landfill disposal method for FVW management and treatment in the wholesale market of Amman (Jordan) with an integrated anaerobic digestion process followed by composting. The proposed FVW treatment scenario is the best treatment option for all the assessed impact categories under the system expansion approach. Significant reductions in global warming and terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts categories would be achieved, reaching up to 322% and 352%, respectively, when compared to the current treatment scenario. Furthermore, the higher production of electrical energy (413%), as well as the production of co-products that would avoid the production of 100 kg/d of inorganic fertilizers, would contribute to such a low value of avoided impacts.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 64%

Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market

Trujillo-Reyes,

Jiménez-Páez,

Serrano

et al. 2023

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Two very important factors to consider in studies of this type [28] are transportation costs and the question of the scalability and size of stations, i.e., the likelihood of larger stations having better viability indicators and economic performance.…”

Section: Financial Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Replacing Natural Gas with Biomethane from Sewage Treatment: Optimizing the Potential in São Paulo State, Brazil

Renato,

Oliveira,

Ervilha

et al. 2024

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The search for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is increasingly growing. Aligning this demand with another environmental problem, such as sewage treatment/disposal, is a strategic priority. In light of this, the aim of this study was to estimate the energy potential of sewage generated in the Brazilian state of São Paulo (SP) by using it to produce biomethane. The study also evaluated the viability of using this byproduct of sewage treatment (biomethane) as a substitute for natural gas (NG), as both of them have similar lower heat values. To do this, information was gathered regarding the population, gross domestic product per capita, sewage collected, and natural gas consumption for each of the state’s 645 cities, and, based on this, the sewage energy potential, the amount of NG to be substituted by biomethane, and the reduction in CO2 emissions were calculated. Moreover, in order to address a possible allocation of biomethane that could potentially be produced in each SP city and sent to currently NG-consuming cities, an optimization algorithm was proposed. The results indicated a sewage energy potential of 4.68 × 109 kWh/yr for the entire SP state, which would be enough to supply around 10% of the energy value of all the NG currently consumed. It was also observed that from 130 cities with NG consumption, 10 could produce enough biomethane to fully satisfy the natural gas demand. In the elected scenario of optimization, 291 cities were found to be capable of supplying the demand of 26 cities that currently use NG. The potential to reduce CO2 emissions is between 1.81 × 106 and 2.42 × 106 ton/yr, and this range could increase if sewage treatment coverage grows. Despite the challenges inherent in extrapolating a potential study to scenarios that require significative investment, the results obtained are useful for formulating public policies for decarbonization in the near future.

show abstract

“…Fugitive C-CO 2 emissions from electricity generation were not considered when evaluating the CCI due to their biogenic origin [19]. The production of electricity and biofertilizer, and the quantification of their GHG emissions, was carried out according to the methodology of Miramontes-Martínez et al [20] which is described below. The quantification of electricity is carried out by means of a heat and electricity cogeneration equipment with electrical and thermal efficiency of 38% and 48%, respectively, the emissions from electricity generation are obtained from the Ecoinvent 3.3 database.…”

Section: Life Cycle Inventory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indirect N 2 O emissions from NH 3 volatilization were determined using the Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Chapter 11 [22]. A leakage percentage of 1% of the total CH 4 production was assumed for all BMP tests, as done by our research group in prior works [20].…”

Section: Life Cycle Inventory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Energy Production from Cattle Manure within a Life Cycle Assessment Framework: Statistical Optimization of Co-Digestion, Pretreatment, and Thermal Conditions

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Waste to energy processes from anaerobic digestion (WtE-AD) from cattle manure (CM) have low CH4 yields due to CM’s structural composition. The search for alternatives to increase the energy yields of these processes must consider the optimization of operating parameters within a framework of mitigating the environmental footprint. The goal of this paper is to provide a statistical optimization strategy based on experimental designs to improve CH4 yields and reduce the environmental profile of CM valorization through a WtE-AD process. Biochemical methane potential tests were conducted to determine the energetic and environmental effects that alkaline pretreatments, different AD temperatures, and co-digestion formulations with fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) have on the WtE-AD process from CM. The evaluation was conducted following a life cycle assessment approach through energy balances. The results indicate that the highest CH4 yield (384.3 mL CH4 g VS−1) and the lowest environmental impact (−0.06 kg CO2 eq kWh−1 of electricity production) were achieved with the co-digestion of CM with FVW 1:1, pretreatment with 10 g NaOH 100 g−1 of VS of CM, and a temperature of 45 °C. It was found that the CM pretreatment with NaOH substantially increases the energy profile of the WtE-AD process without compromising the environmental impact since greenhouse gas emissions in chemical production are negligible.

show abstract

Potential of electricity generation by organic wastes in Latin America: a techno-economic-environmental analysis

Cited by 8 publications

References 41 publications

Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market

Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market

Replacing Natural Gas with Biomethane from Sewage Treatment: Optimizing the Potential in São Paulo State, Brazil

Energy Production from Cattle Manure within a Life Cycle Assessment Framework: Statistical Optimization of Co-Digestion, Pretreatment, and Thermal Conditions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About