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Double-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Biohydrogen Production: A Strategy for Organic Waste Diversion and Emission Reduction in a South African Municipality

Author

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  • Andrea Dell’Orto

    (Environmental Engineering Group, Discipline of Civil Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Cristina Trois

    (Environmental Engineering Group, Discipline of Civil Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
    Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa)

Abstract

Landfilling of organic waste poses a significant environmental threat, heavily contributing to climate change. The diversion of waste is imperative, but pathways to implementing alternative waste management strategies are needed. Double-stage anaerobic digestion has been identified as a potential technique that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diminish the amount of waste landfilled. Still, further research is needed before its implementation at the municipal level. This paper explored the potential insertion of double-stage anaerobic digestion into the portfolio of alternative treatment methods using the case study of the eThekwini Municipality in Durban, South Africa, by proposing a source-separation waste management scheme and forecasting the organic waste generation for a 24-year timeframe until 2050. The WROSE model has been identified as the ideal tool for the analysis. A new scenario, including double-stage anaerobic digestion, has been introduced in WROSE after developing a country-specific emission factor. The technology has been assessed against similar techniques, namely anaerobic digestion and composting, according to the environmental indicators included in WROSE. Compared with the business-as-usual scenario and three other alternatives, the new scenario proved to be the second-most effective (−282% versus business-as-usual) after anaerobic digestion (−291%) in reducing climate-altering emissions, achieving analogous waste diversion rate (10.09%), landfill airspace (1,653,705 m 3 ), and monetary savings (3.8 billion Rand) compared to composting and anaerobic digestion.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Dell’Orto & Cristina Trois, 2024. "Double-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Biohydrogen Production: A Strategy for Organic Waste Diversion and Emission Reduction in a South African Municipality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:7200-:d:1461260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baldi, F. & Pecorini, I. & Iannelli, R., 2019. "Comparison of single-stage and two-stage anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge for hydrogen and methane production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1755-1765.
    2. Lavagnolo, Maria Cristina & Girotto, Francesca & Rafieenia, Razieh & Danieli, Luciano & Alibardi, Luca, 2018. "Two-stage anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste – Effects of process conditions during batch tests," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 14-20.
    3. Gayatri Udaysinh Ingale & Hyun-Min Kwon & Soohwa Jeong & Dongho Park & Whidong Kim & Byeingryeol Bang & Young-Il Lim & Sung Won Kim & Youn-Bae Kang & Jungsoo Mun & Sunwoo Jun & Uendo Lee, 2022. "Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydrogen Production Processes: Turquoise Hydrogen vs. Steam Methane Reforming," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Bertasini, Davide & Battista, Federico & Rizzioli, Fabio & Frison, Nicola & Bolzonella, David, 2023. "Decarbonization of the European natural gas grid using hydrogen and methane biologically produced from organic waste: A critical overview," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 386-396.
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Rashama & Tonderayi Matambo & Asheal Mutungwazi & Christian Riann & Godwell Nhamo, 2025. "Harnessing Horsepower from Horse Manure at the EARTH Centre in South Africa: Biogas Initiative Improve the Facility’s Operational Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Iván D. Roa & Jorge R. Henriquez & Emmanuel D. Dutra & Rômulo S. C. Menezes & Monaliza M. M. Andrade & Edvaldo P. Santos Junior & Luiz Célio S. Rocha & Paulo Rotella Junior, 2024. "Economic Feasibility of Biogas Microgeneration from Food Waste: Potential for Sustainable Energy in Northeastern Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-17, November.

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