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Molina-Peñate E, Artola A, Sánchez A. Exploring biorefinery alternatives for biowaste valorization: a techno-economic assessment of enzymatic hydrolysis coupled with anaerobic digestion or solid-state fermentation for high-value bioproducts. Bioengineered 2024; 15:2307668. [PMID: 38265757 PMCID: PMC10810166 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2024.2307668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic hydrolysis of organic waste is gaining relevance as a complementary technology to conventional biological treatments. Moreover, biorefineries are emerging as a sustainable scenario to integrate waste valorization and high-value bioproducts production. However, their application on municipal solid waste is still limited. This study systematically evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of the conversion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) into high-value bioproducts through enzymatic hydrolysis. Two key variables are examined: (a) the source of the enzymes: commercial or on-site produced using OFMSW, and (b) the treatment of the solid hydrolyzate fraction: solid-state fermentation (SSF) for the production of biopesticides or anaerobic digestion for the production of energy. As a result, four different biorefinery scenarios are generated and compared in terms of profitability. Results showed that the most profitable scenario was to produce enzymes on-site and valorize the solid fraction via SSF, with an internal rate of return of 13%. This scenario led to higher profit margins (74%) and a reduced payback time (6 years), in contrast with commercial enzymes that led to an unprofitable biorefinery. Also, the simultaneous production of higher-value bioproducts and energy reduced the economic dependence of OFMSW treatment on policy instruments while remaining energetically self-sufficient. The profitability of the biorefinery scenarios evaluated was heavily dependent on the enzyme price and the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process, highlighting the importance of cost-efficient enzyme production alternatives and high-quality OFMSW. This paper contributes to understanding the potential role of enzymes in future OFMSW biorefineries and offers economical insights on different configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Molina-Peñate
- GICOM Research Group, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Edifici Q, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Adriana Artola
- GICOM Research Group, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Edifici Q, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antoni Sánchez
- GICOM Research Group, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Edifici Q, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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Barragán-Trinidad M, Buitrón G. Pretreatment of agave bagasse with ruminal fluid to improve methane recovery. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 175:52-61. [PMID: 38159368 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Agave bagasse, a lignocellulosic waste that results from the milling and juice extraction of Agave tequilana var azul pineapples, is a suitable substrate for the production of methane through anaerobic digestion. However, it is necessary to apply a pretreatment to convert the bagasse into energy. In this context, this paper proposes using ruminal microorganisms to hydrolyze agave bagasse. This study evaluated the effect of the initial agave bagasse to ruminal fluid (S0/X0) ratio (0.33, 0.5, 1, and 2) on the hydrolysis efficiency. Subsequently, the supernatant was used for methane production. The hydrolysis efficiency increased as the S0/X0 ratio decreased. A hydrolysis efficiency of 60 % was achieved using an S0/X0 ratio of 0.33. The S0/X0 ratio of 0.33 optimally improved the specific methane production and energy recovery (155 ± 2 mL CH4/g TS and 6.1 ± 0.1 kJ/g TS) compared to raw biomass. The most abundant hydrolytic bacteria were Prevotella, Ruminococcus and Fibrobacter, and Engyodontium was the most abundant proteolytic fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Barragán-Trinidad
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
| | - Germán Buitrón
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Olabi AG, Shehata N, Sayed ET, Rodriguez C, Anyanwu RC, Russell C, Abdelkareem MA. Role of microalgae in achieving sustainable development goals and circular economy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158689. [PMID: 36108848 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. These goals highlight key objectives that must be addressed. Each target focuses on a unique perspective crucial to meeting these goals. Social, political, and economic issues are addressed to comprehensively review the main issues combating climate change and creating sustainable and environmentally friendly industries, jobs, and communities. Several mechanisms that involve judicious use of biological entities are among instruments that are being explored to achieve the targets of SDGs. Microalgae have an increasing interest in various sectors, including; renewable energy, food, environmental management, water purification, and the production of chemicals such as biofertilizers, cosmetics, and healthcare products. The significance of microalgae also arises from their tendency to consume CO2, which is the main greenhouse gas and the major contributor to the climate change. This work discusses the roles of microalgae in achieving the various SDGs. Moreover, this work elaborates on the contribution of microalgae to the circular economy. It was found that the microalgae contribute to all the 17th SDGs, where they directly contribute to 9th of the SDGs and indirectly contribute to the rest. The major contribution of the Microalgae is clear in SDG-6 "Clean water and sanitation", SDG-7 "Affordable and clean energy", and SDG-13 "Climate action". Furthermore, it was found that Microalgae have a significant contribution to the circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Olabi
- Dept. of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Mechanical Engineering and Design, Aston University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Nabila Shehata
- Environmental Science and Industrial Development Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
| | - Enas Taha Sayed
- Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Elminia, Egypt.
| | - Cristina Rodriguez
- School of Computing, Engineering, and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Ruth Chinyere Anyanwu
- School of Computing, Engineering, and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Callum Russell
- School of Computing, Engineering, and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem
- Dept. of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Elminia, Egypt.
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Microalgae and Cyanobacteria Biomass Pretreatment Methods: A Comparative Analysis of Chemical and Thermochemical Pretreatment Methods Aimed at Methane Production. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of microalgae and cyanobacteria was first proposed as a destination for algal biomass accumulated on stabilization ponds since it could not be disposed of directly in the environment. Now, the versatility of algal biomass makes them a suitable candidate to produce biofuels and other biomolecules in biorefineries. Anaerobic digestion of biomass is advantageous because it does not require the extraction of specific cellular constituents or drying of the biomass. Nevertheless, challenges remain regarding biomass concentration and their resistant cell walls, which are factors that could hamper methane yield. Many pretreatment methods, including chemical and thermochemical, have been proposed to break down the complex polymers present on the cell wall into smaller molecules. Unfortunately, the relationship between biomass solubilization and methane yield is not well defined. This article intends to review the anaerobic digestion of algal biomass and the role of chemical and thermochemical pretreatments in enhancing methane production. Several pretreatment conditions selected from the scientific literature were compared to verify which conditions actually improve methane yield. The severity of the selected pretreatments was also assessed using the combined severity factor. Results suggest that thermochemical pretreatment in less severe conditions is the most efficient, leading to a greater increase in methane yield. Only enzymatic pretreatments and some thermal pretreatments result in a positive energy balance. The large-scale implementation of pretreatment methods requires technological innovations to reduce energy consumption and its integration with other processes in wastewater treatment plants.
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Bhatt P, Bhandari G, Turco RF, Aminikhoei Z, Bhatt K, Simsek H. Algae in wastewater treatment, mechanism, and application of biomass for production of value-added product. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119688. [PMID: 35793713 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The pollutants can enter water bodies at various point and non-point sources, and wastewater discharge remains a major pathway. Wastewater treatment effectively reduces contaminants, it is expensive and requires an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative approach to reduce treatment costs. Algae have recently emerged as a potentially cost-effective method to remediate toxic pollutants through the mechanism of biosorption, bioaccumulation, and intracellular degradation. Hence, before discharging the wastewater into the natural environment better solutions for environmental resource recovery and sustainable developments can be applied. More importantly, algae are a potential feedstock material for various industrial applications such as biofuel production. Currently, researchers are developing algae as a source for pharmaceuticals, biofuels, food additives, and bio-fertilizers. This review mainly focused on the potential of algae and their specific mechanisms involved in wastewater treatment and energy recovery systems leading to important industrial precursors. The review is highly beneficial for scientists, wastewater treatment plant operators, freshwater managers, and industrial communities to support the sustainable development of natural resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Bhatt
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.
| | - Geeta Bhandari
- Department of Biosciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, 248016, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ronald F Turco
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Zahra Aminikhoei
- Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Offshore Fisheries Research Center, Chabahar, Iran
| | - Kalpana Bhatt
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Halis Simsek
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.
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Partial enzymatic cell wall disruption of Oocystis sp. for simultaneous cultivation and extraction. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Bhushan S, Rana MS, Bhandari M, Sharma AK, Simsek H, Prajapati SK. Enzymatic pretreatment of algal biomass has different optimal conditions for biogas and bioethanol routes. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 284:131264. [PMID: 34216928 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic pretreatment is emerging as an efficient tool for the extraction of biofuel precursors from algal biomass. However, yardsticks for end-use directed selection of optimal pretreatment conditions are not yet identified. The present study, for the first time, reveals different optimal conditions for algal biomass solubilization and sugar release. Algal biomass pretreatment optimization was carried out using the Taguchi method. Crude enzyme from Aspergillus fischeri was found effective for pretreatment of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Maximum sugar yield (190 mg g-1 biomass) from algal biomass was observed at a substrate concentration of 4 g L-1, with a 5% enzyme load at temperature 60°C, pH 5.5, and shaking speed of 80 rpm. In contrast, maximum sCOD (1350 mg g-1 biomass) was obtained at 2 g L-1 substrate concentration with enzyme load of 20% v/v, at 60°C, pH 4, and shaking speed of 100 rpm. Hence, the first set of conditions would be more beneficial for bioethanol production. Whereas another set of conditions would improve the biofuel production that requires maximum solubilization of algal biomass, such as fermentative methane production. Overall, the present observations established that process conditions required for enzymatic pretreatment of algal biomass should be selected according to the desired biofuel type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Bhushan
- Environment and Biofuel Research Lab (EBRL), Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), Uttarakhand, 247667, India; Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, North Dakota State University (NDSU), North Dakota, 58102, USA
| | - Mohit Singh Rana
- Environment and Biofuel Research Lab (EBRL), Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Mamta Bhandari
- Environment and Biofuel Research Lab (EBRL), Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Ashwini Kumar Sharma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Halis Simsek
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, North Dakota State University (NDSU), North Dakota, 58102, USA
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Prajapati
- Environment and Biofuel Research Lab (EBRL), Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
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Avila R, Carrero E, Vicent T, Blánquez P. Integration of enzymatic pretreatment and sludge co-digestion in biogas production from microalgae. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 124:254-263. [PMID: 33639410 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Integration of microalgae-based systems with conventional wastewater treatment plants provides an effective alternative to waste stream management. In this work, alkaline and enzymatic pretreatments of a microalgal culture mainly constituted by Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. and cultivated in wastewater from an industrial winery wastewater treatment plant were assessed. Microalgal enzymatic pretreatments were expected to overcome algal recalcitrancy before anaerobic digestion. pH-induced flocculation at pH 10 and 11 did not enhance microalgal harvesting and solubilisation, achieving a performance similar to that of natural sedimentation. Enzymatic hydrolysis of algal biomass was carried out using three commercial enzymatic cocktails (A, B and C) at two enzymatic doses (1% and 2% (v/v)) over 3 h of exposure time at 37 °C. Since pretreatments at a 1% dose for 0.5 h and 2% dose for 2 h achieved higher solubilisation, they were selected to evaluate the influence of the pretreatment on microalgal anaerobic digestibility. Biochemical methane potential tests showed that the pretreatments increased the methane production of the raw algal biomass 3.6- to 5.3-fold. The methane yield was 9-27% higher at the lower enzyme dose. Hence, microalgae pretreated with enzymes B and C at a 1% dose were co-digested with waste activated sludge (WAS). Even when the enzyme increased the methane yield of the inoculum and the WAS, the methane yield of the raw microalgae and WAS mixture was not significantly different from that obtained when algae were enzymatically pretreated. Nonetheless, co-digestion may achieve the goals of a waste recycled bio-circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Avila
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elvira Carrero
- Miguel Torres S.A., Miquel Torres i Carbó 6, 08720, Villafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Vicent
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paqui Blánquez
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Vu HP, Nguyen LN, Vu MT, Labeeuw L, Emmerton B, Commault AS, Ralph PJ, Mahlia TMI, Nghiem LD. Harvesting Porphyridium purpureum using polyacrylamide polymers and alkaline bases and their impact on biomass quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142412. [PMID: 33032127 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to examine the flocculation efficiency of Porphyridium purpureum (i.e. a red marine microalga with high content of pigments and fatty acids) grown in seawater medium using polyacrylamide polymers and alkaline flocculation. Polymers Flopam™ and FO3801 achieved the highest flocculation efficiency of over 99% at the optimal dose of 21 mg per g of dry biomass through charge neutralisation and bridging mechanism. The addition of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate also achieved flocculation efficiency of 98 and 91%, respectively, but high doses were required (i.e. > 500 mg per g of dry biomass). Calcium hydroxide was not as effective and could only achieve 75% flocculation efficiency. Precipitation of magnesium hydroxide was identified as the major cause of hydroxide-induced flocculation. On the other hand, sodium carbonate addition induced flocculation via both magnesium and calcium carbonate co-precipitation. The large mass of precipitates caused a sweeping effect and enmeshed the microalgal cells to trigger sedimentation. Cell membrane integrity analysis of flocculated P. purpureum indicated that polyacrylamide polymers led to significant compromised cells (i.e. 96%), compared to the alkaline bases (70-96% compromised cells). These results appear to be the first to demonstrate the high efficiency of polyacrylamide polymer and alkaline flocculation of P. purpureum but at the expense of the biomass quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang P Vu
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Luong N Nguyen
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Minh T Vu
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Leen Labeeuw
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Benjamin Emmerton
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Audrey S Commault
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - T M I Mahlia
- School of Information, Systems and Modelling, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Nguyen Tat Thanh University, NTT Institute of Hi-Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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