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Biohythane, Biogas, and Biohydrogen Production from Food Waste: Recent Advancements, Technical Bottlenecks, and Prospects

Author

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  • Shivali Sahota

    (Engineering Department, Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy)

  • Subodh Kumar

    (Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India)

  • Lidia Lombardi

    (Engineering Department, Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Food waste (FW) is a significant global issue with a carbon footprint of 3.3 billion tonnes (Bt), primarily generated due to improper food supply chain management, storage issues, and transportation problems. Acidogenic processes like dark fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and a combination of DF-AD can produce renewable biofuels (Bio-CH 4 , Bio-H 2 ) by valorising FW, aligning with the UN SDGs. FW is an ideal substrate for acidogenic processes due to its high moisture content, organic matter, and biodegradability. However, the choice of FW valorisation pathways depends on energy yield, conversion efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Acidogenic processes are not economically viable for industrial scale FW treatment due to reduced energy recovery from stand-alone processes. So, this study reviews comparative studies on biogas, biohydrogen, and biohythane production from FW via acidogenic processes, focusing on energy yield, energy recovery, and environmental and economic impact to provide a clear understanding of energy recovery and yield from all acidogenic processes. Additionally, this review also explores the recent advancements in digestate slurry management and the synergistic effects of AD and HTC processes. Lastly, a futuristic integrated bio-thermo-chemical process is proposed for maximum energy recovery, valuing food waste to energy vectors (Bio-H 2 , Bio-CH 4 , and hydro-char) along with digestate management and biofertilizer production.

Suggested Citation

  • Shivali Sahota & Subodh Kumar & Lidia Lombardi, 2024. "Biohythane, Biogas, and Biohydrogen Production from Food Waste: Recent Advancements, Technical Bottlenecks, and Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:3:p:666-:d:1329893
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Latika Bhatia & Harit Jha & Tanushree Sarkar & Prakash Kumar Sarangi, 2023. "Food Waste Utilization for Reducing Carbon Footprints towards Sustainable and Cleaner Environment: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Yun, Sining & Fang, Wen & Du, Tingting & Hu, Xieli & Huang, Xinlei & Li, Xue & Zhang, Chen & Lund, Peter D., 2018. "Use of bio-based carbon materials for improving biogas yield and digestate stability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 898-909.
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    5. Byun, Jaewon & Han, Jee-hoon, 2023. "Economic feasible hydrogen production system from carbohydrate-rich food waste," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    6. Abdur Rawoof, Salma Aathika & Kumar, P. Senthil & Vo, Dai-Viet N. & Devaraj, Thiruselvi & Subramanian, Sivanesan, 2021. "Biohythane as a high potential fuel from anaerobic digestion of organic waste: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
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    8. Joanna Mikusińska & Monika Kuźnia & Klaudia Czerwińska & Małgorzata Wilk, 2023. "Hydrothermal Carbonization of Digestate Produced in the Biogas Production Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
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    1. Dhruv Singh & Piero Sirini & Lidia Lombardi, 2024. "Review of Reforming Processes for the Production of Green Hydrogen from Landfill Gas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-35, December.

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