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Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian Composting Facility concerning Environmental Footprint Minimization and Renewable Energy Integration

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  • Giovanni Biancini

    (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Landscape, Università Telematica eCampus, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy)

  • Barbara Marchetti

    (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Landscape, Università Telematica eCampus, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy)

  • Luca Cioccolanti

    (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Landscape, Università Telematica eCampus, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy)

  • Matteo Moglie

    (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Landscape, Università Telematica eCampus, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy)

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate the environmental impacts of a real municipal solid waste management facility operating in Italy including two power units, i.e., a combined heat and power system and an internal combustion engine, fed by the biogas produced from anaerobic digestion and waste disposal in sanitary landfill. The Life Cycle Assessment study is carried out in Simapro 9.1.1.7 and, in addition to the base case scenario, the implementation of additional renewable energy and circular economy solutions is evaluated. More precisely a PV plant on the roof of the anaerobic digesters section and the use of plastic and paper residues in a gasification process for additional heat and power production are considered. The main outcomes of the simulations demonstrate the following: (i) the benefits in terms of energy and fuel savings provided by the two power units; (ii) the environmental impact reduction due to the compost obtained from the anaerobic digestion of the organic waste as potential fertilizer; (iii) a potential power capacity of 2 MW through the gasification of the plastic and paper residues. With reference to the latter, despite bringing an increase of the carbon emissions (+48%) compared to the base case, it could contribute to reach higher environmental standards for MSW composting facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Biancini & Barbara Marchetti & Luca Cioccolanti & Matteo Moglie, 2022. "Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of an Italian Composting Facility concerning Environmental Footprint Minimization and Renewable Energy Integration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14961-:d:970455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Franco Curadelli & Marcelo Alberto & Ernesto Martín Uliarte & Mariana Combina & Iván Funes-Pinter, 2023. "Meta-Analysis of Yields of Crops Fertilized with Compost Tea and Anaerobic Digestate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.

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