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Energy production from waste: Evaluation of anaerobic digestion and bioelectrochemical systems based on energy efficiency and economic factors

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  • Beegle, Jeffrey R.
  • Borole, Abhijeet P.

Abstract

Anaerobic digesters (AD) and bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are becoming increasingly popular technologies for the generation of renewable energy from wastes. Synergies between these technologies exist, however, configurations to couple them have been insufficiently investigated. This study compares the theoretical energy efficiencies of converting waste directly into electricity, using AD and BES alone and in various combinations. This study reviews the experimentally demonstrated energy efficiencies reported in the literature with comparisons to the maximum theoretical efficiencies, considering thermodynamic limits. Acetate is used as an ideal substrate for theoretical calculations, whereas complex wastes are used for extended analyses of practical efficiencies. In addition, to evaluate the economic potential of this technology, a brief case study was conducted using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) water resource recovery facility (WRRF). Sensitivity analysis was performed on several parameters in the economic model. The results of this study indicate the combined Anaerobic Digester/Microbial Electrolysis Cell (ADMEC) process may be the best path forward due to the high energy efficiency, combined with potential economic benefits, but is not at commercial readiness. We estimate energy efficiencies of 52.9% and 45.6% for the ADMEC process, using current state-of-the-technology, for converting food waste and sewage sludge to a CH4/H2 mix, respectively. This study concludes with a discussion of new strategies to improve the energy efficiency of AD and BES processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Beegle, Jeffrey R. & Borole, Abhijeet P., 2018. "Energy production from waste: Evaluation of anaerobic digestion and bioelectrochemical systems based on energy efficiency and economic factors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 343-351.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:96:y:2018:i:c:p:343-351
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.07.057
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    1. Buzby, Jean C. & Farah-Wells, Hodan & Hyman, Jeffrey, 2014. "The Estimated Amount, Value, and Calories of Postharvest Food Losses at the Retail and Consumer Levels in the United States," Economic Information Bulletin 164262, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    1. Ding, Lingkan & Wang, Yuchuan & Lin, Hongjian & van Lierop, Leif & Hu, Bo, 2022. "Facilitating solid-state anaerobic digestion of food waste via bio-electrochemical treatment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    2. Donald Ukpanyang & Julio Terrados-Cepeda & Manuel Jesus Hermoso-Orzaez, 2022. "Multi-Criteria Selection of Waste-to-Energy Technologies for Slum/Informal Settlements Using the PROMETHEE Technique: A Case Study of the Greater Karu Urban Area in Nigeria," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-26, May.
    3. Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Paolo Blecich, 2022. "Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management Technologies Selection Based on Techno-Economic-Environmental Criteria: Case Study of Croatia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Vakalis, Stergios & Moustakas, Konstantinos & Loizidou, Maria, 2019. "Energy efficiency of waste-to-energy plants with a focus on the comparison and the constraints of the 3T method and the R1 formula," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 323-329.
    5. Maria G. Savvidou & Pavlos K. Pandis & Diomi Mamma & Georgia Sourkouni & Christos Argirusis, 2022. "Organic Waste Substrates for Bioenergy Production via Microbial Fuel Cells: A Key Point Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-53, August.
    6. Szymon Potrykus & Luis Fernando León-Fernández & Janusz Nieznański & Dariusz Karkosiński & Francisco Jesus Fernandez-Morales, 2021. "The Influence of External Load on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, January.

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