IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v313y2024ics0360544224034868.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Feasibility analysis for bio-natural gas generated from high-concentration organic wastewater

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Chenxuan
  • Li, Zhiwei
  • Tan, Raymond R.
  • Aviso, Kathleen B.
  • Wang, Fang
  • Jia, Xiaoping

Abstract

Abundant bioenergy is present in high-concentration organic wastewater (HCOW). Bio-natural gas (BNG) can be obtained through the utilization of HCOW anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading technology, achieving pollution reduction and carbon mitigation simultaneously. The production process of HCOW-based BNG was modeled and simulated. The simulation results were then used to analyze the feasibility from economic, environmental, and operational perspectives. In addition, the impact of key parameters in the entire production process on unit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and product costs was explored. The utilization of sugarcane vinasse as a raw material for BNG production contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions associated with wastewater treatment. The results show that the equipment investment and electricity consumption account for 30.6 % and 18.7 % of the BNG production cost. The avoidance of methane emission during wastewater treatment resulted in a GHG emission reduction of 20.56 kgCO2e/m3 from BNG production. The production of BNG from HCOW exhibited economies of scale, and the monetization of environmental benefits through subsidies could enhance its overall profitability.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chenxuan & Li, Zhiwei & Tan, Raymond R. & Aviso, Kathleen B. & Wang, Fang & Jia, Xiaoping, 2024. "Feasibility analysis for bio-natural gas generated from high-concentration organic wastewater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:313:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224034868
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133708
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224034868
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133708?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yusuf, Noor & Almomani, Fares, 2023. "Recent advances in biogas purifying technologies: Process design and economic considerations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    2. Shen, Yanwen & Linville, Jessica L. & Urgun-Demirtas, Meltem & Mintz, Marianne M. & Snyder, Seth W., 2015. "An overview of biogas production and utilization at full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the United States: Challenges and opportunities towards energy-neutral WWTPs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 346-362.
    3. Hajizadeh, Abdollah & Mohamadi-Baghmolaei, Mohamad & Cata Saady, Noori M. & Zendehboudi, Sohrab, 2022. "Hydrogen production from biomass through integration of anaerobic digestion and biogas dry reforming," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    4. Mehrpooya, Mehdi & Ghorbani, Bahram & Manizadeh, Ali, 2020. "Cryogenic biogas upgrading process using solar energy (process integration, development, and energy analysis)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    5. Theo, Wai Lip & Lim, Jeng Shiun & Ho, Wai Shin & Hashim, Haslenda & Lee, Chew Tin & Muis, Zarina Abdul, 2017. "Optimisation of oil palm biomass and palm oil mill effluent (POME) utilisation pathway for palm oil mill cluster with consideration of BioCNG distribution network," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 865-883.
    6. Leme, Rodrigo Marcelo & Seabra, Joaquim E.A., 2017. "Technical-economic assessment of different biogas upgrading routes from vinasse anaerobic digestion in the Brazilian bioethanol industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 754-766.
    7. Zhu, Tong & Curtis, John & Clancy, Matthew, 2019. "Promoting agricultural biogas and biomethane production: Lessons from cross-country studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Francisco M. Baena-Moreno & Isabel Malico & Isabel Paula Marques, 2021. "Promoting Sustainability: Wastewater Treatment Plants as a Source of Biomethane in Regions Far from a High-Pressure Grid. A Real Portuguese Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    9. Marconi, Pietro & Rosa, Lorenzo, 2023. "Role of biomethane to offset natural gas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    10. Lorenzi, Guido & Lanzini, Andrea & Santarelli, Massimo & Martin, Andrew, 2017. "Exergo-economic analysis of a direct biogas upgrading process to synthetic natural gas via integrated high-temperature electrolysis and methanation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1524-1537.
    11. Lu Lu & Jeremy S. Guest & Catherine A. Peters & Xiuping Zhu & Greg H. Rau & Zhiyong Jason Ren, 2018. "Wastewater treatment for carbon capture and utilization," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(12), pages 750-758, December.
    12. Xu, Guangyue & Chen, Yaqiang & Yang, Mengge & Li, Shuang & Marma, Kyaw Jaw Sine, 2023. "An outlook analysis on China's natural gas consumption forecast by 2035: Applying a seasonal forecasting method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    13. Collet, Pierre & Flottes, Eglantine & Favre, Alain & Raynal, Ludovic & Pierre, Hélène & Capela, Sandra & Peregrina, Carlos, 2017. "Techno-economic and Life Cycle Assessment of methane production via biogas upgrading and power to gas technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 282-295.
    14. Moreira, L.C. & Borges, P.O. & Cavalcante, R.M. & Young, A.F., 2022. "Simulation and economic evaluation of process alternatives for biogas production and purification from sugarcane vinasse," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    15. Mosleh Uddin, Md & Wen, Zhiyou & Mba Wright, Mark, 2022. "Techno-economic and environmental impact assessment of using corn stover biochar for manure derived renewable natural gas production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    16. Khan, Muhammad Usman & Lee, Jonathan Tian En & Bashir, Muhammad Aamir & Dissanayake, Pavani Dulanja & Ok, Yong Sik & Tong, Yen Wah & Shariati, Mohammad Ali & Wu, Sarah & Ahring, Birgitte Kiaer, 2021. "Current status of biogas upgrading for direct biomethane use: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    17. Poblete, Israel Bernardo S. & Araujo, Ofélia de Queiroz F. & de Medeiros, José Luiz, 2020. "Dynamic analysis of sustainable biogas-combined-cycle plant: Time-varying demand and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    18. Li, Lei & Xu, Ying & Dai, Xiaohu & Dai, Lingling, 2021. "Principles and advancements in improving anaerobic digestion of organic waste via direct interspecies electron transfer," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    19. Lohani, Sunil Prasad & Wang, Shuai & Lackner, Susanne & Horn, Harald & Khanal, Sanjay Nath & Bakke, Rune, 2016. "ADM1 modeling of UASB treating domestic wastewater in Nepal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 263-268.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Patel, Gulam Husain & Horttanainen, Mika & Kokko, Marika & Yörüklü, Hulya Civelek & Havukainen, Jouni, 2025. "Environmental performance of biomethanation based on life cycle assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Idiano D’Adamo & Claudio Sassanelli, 2022. "Biomethane Community: A Research Agenda towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Yusuf, Noor & Almomani, Fares, 2023. "Recent advances in biogas purifying technologies: Process design and economic considerations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    3. Aui, Alvina & Wang, Yu, 2025. "Policy support and technology development trajectory for renewable natural gas in the U.S," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    4. Yuhan Zhang & Yongbin Wang & Zhibin Chen & Chengzhi Hu & Jiuhui Qu, 2024. "Recovering nutrients and unblocking the cake layer of an electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Alberto Benato & Chiara D’Alpaos & Alarico Macor, 2022. "Possible Ways of Extending the Biogas Plants Lifespan after the Feed-In Tariff Expiration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Hou, Rui & Zhang, Nachuan & Yang, Chengsheng & Zhao, Jing & Li, Peng & Sun, Bo, 2023. "A novel structure of natural gas, electricity, and methanol production using a combined reforming cycle: Integration of biogas upgrading, liquefied natural gas re-gasification, power plant, and methan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    7. Catalano, Giovanni & D'Adamo, Idiano & Gastaldi, Massimo & Nizami, Abdul-Sattar & Ribichini, Marco, 2024. "Incentive policies in biomethane production toward circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    8. Néméhie Lawson & Merlin Alvarado-Morales & Panagiotis Tsapekos & Irini Angelidaki, 2021. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Biological Biogas Upgrading Based on Danish Biogas Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Yanbo Wang & Boyao Zhi & Shumin Xiang & Guangxin Ren & Yongzhong Feng & Gaihe Yang & Xiaojiao Wang, 2023. "China’s Biogas Industry’s Sustainable Transition to a Low-Carbon Plan—A Socio-Technical Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    10. Wang, Ligang & Pérez-Fortes, Mar & Madi, Hossein & Diethelm, Stefan & herle, Jan Van & Maréchal, François, 2018. "Optimal design of solid-oxide electrolyzer based power-to-methane systems: A comprehensive comparison between steam electrolysis and co-electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1060-1079.
    11. Mancini, G. & Lombardi, L. & Luciano, A. & Bolzonella, D. & Viotti, P. & Fino, D., 2024. "A reduction in global impacts through a waste-wastewater-energy nexus: A life cycle assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    12. D’Adamo, Idiano & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & Huisingh, Donald & Morone, Piergiuseppe, 2021. "A circular economy model based on biomethane: What are the opportunities for the municipality of Rome and beyond?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1660-1672.
    13. Xiong, Yu-Tong & Zhang, Jing & Chen, You-Peng & Guo, Jin-Song & Fang, Fang & Yan, Peng, 2021. "Geographic distribution of net-zero energy wastewater treatment in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    14. Pochwatka, Patrycja & Rozakis, Stelios & Kowalczyk-Juśko, Alina & Czekała, Wojciech & Qiao, Wei & Nägele, Hans-Joachim & Janczak, Damian & Mazurkiewicz, Jakub & Mazur, Andrzej & Dach, Jacek, 2023. "The energetic and economic analysis of demand-driven biogas plant investment possibility in dairy farm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    15. Esfandiyar Naeiji & Alireza Noorpoor & Hossein Ghanavati, 2022. "Energy, Exergy, and Economic Analysis of Cryogenic Distillation and Chemical Scrubbing for Biogas Upgrading and Hydrogen Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    16. Zhu, Wenjing & Duan, Cuncun & Chen, Bin, 2024. "Energy efficiency assessment of wastewater treatment plants in China based on multiregional input–output analysis and data envelopment analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    17. Zhao, Chuandang & Tu, Jiancheng & Zhang, Xiaoxuan & Xu, Jiuping & Østergaard, Poul Alberg, 2025. "Predict-then-optimise based day-ahead scheduling towards demand response and hybrid renewable generation for wastewater treatment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    18. Zhao, Chuandang & Xu, Jiuping & Wang, Fengjuan, 2025. "Industrial prosumption-based energy transition technologies investigation for wastewater sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    19. Cho, Hannah Hyunah & Strezov, Vladimir & Evans, Tim J., 2024. "Life cycle assessment of power-to-methane and renewable methane production technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    20. Uebbing, Jennifer & Rihko-Struckmann, Liisa K. & Sundmacher, Kai, 2019. "Exergetic assessment of CO2 methanation processes for the chemical storage of renewable energies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 271-282.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:313:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224034868. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.