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Life Cycle Assessment of a Biogas-Fed Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Integrated in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Author

Listed:
  • Marta Gandiglio

    (DENERG—Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Fabrizio De Sario

    (DENERG—Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Andrea Lanzini

    (DENERG—Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Silvia Bobba

    (DIATI—Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructures Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Massimo Santarelli

    (DENERG—Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Gian Andrea Blengini

    (DIATI—Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructures Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

This work assesses the environmental impacts of an industrial-scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) plant fed by sewage biogas locally available from a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). Three alternative scenarios for biogas exploitation have been investigated and real data from an existing integrated SOFC-WWTP have been retrieved: the first one (Scenario 1) is the current scenario, where biogas is exploited in a boiler for thermal-energy-only production, while the second one is related to the installation of an efficient SOFC-based cogeneration system (Scenario 2). A thermal energy conservation opportunity that foresees the use of a dynamic machine for sludge pre-thickening enhancement is also investigated as a third scenario (Scenario 3). The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) has shown that producing a substantial share of electrical energy (around 25%) via biogas-fed SOFC cogeneration modules can reduce the environmental burden associated to WWTP operations in five out of the seven impact categories that have been analyzed in this work. A further reduction of impacts, particularly concerning global warming potential and primary energy demand, is possible by the decrease of the thermal request of the digester, thus making the system independent from natural gas. In both Scenarios 2 and 3, primary energy and CO 2 emissions embodied in the manufacture and maintenance of the cogeneration system are neutralized by operational savings in less than one year.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Gandiglio & Fabrizio De Sario & Andrea Lanzini & Silvia Bobba & Massimo Santarelli & Gian Andrea Blengini, 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Biogas-Fed Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Integrated in a Wastewater Treatment Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-31, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:9:p:1611-:d:226543
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Khaled M. A. Salim & Ruhanita Maelah & Hawa Hishamuddin & Amizawati Mohd Amir & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, 2022. "Two Decades of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs): A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Achinas, Spyridon & Willem Euverink, Gerrit Jan, 2020. "Rambling facets of manure-based biogas production in Europe: A briefing," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Khalid Al-Khori & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi & Samir Boulfrad & Muammer Koç, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment for Integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells into Gas Processing Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Ombretta Paladino, 2022. "Data Driven Modelling and Control Strategies to Improve Biogas Quality and Production from High Solids Anaerobic Digestion: A Mini Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    6. Annika Tampe & Kristina Höse & Uwe Götze, 2023. "Sustainability-Oriented Assessment of Fuel Cells—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-33, September.
    7. Çalışır, Duran & Ekici, Selcuk & Midilli, Adnan & Karakoc, T. Hikmet, 2023. "Benchmarking environmental impacts of power groups used in a designed UAV: Hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system versus lithium-polymer battery drive system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).

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