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Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessments of Aqueous Phase Reforming for the Energetic Valorization of Winery Wastewaters

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Farnocchia

    (Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Carlos E. Gómez-Camacho

    (Technology and Society Laboratory (TSL), Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Empa, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

  • Giuseppe Pipitone

    (Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Roland Hischier

    (Technology and Society Laboratory (TSL), Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Empa, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

  • Raffaele Pirone

    (Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Samir Bensaid

    (Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Globally, winery wastewaters (WWWs) are estimated to account for about 62.5 billion L annually (2021), with COD levels up to 300,000 mg O 2 /L primarily attributed to residual ethanol, posing serious environmental concerns. Conventional treatments are effective in COD removal, but they often miss opportunities for energy recovery and resource valorization. This study investigates the aqueous phase reforming (APR) of ethanol-rich wastewater as an alternative treatment for both COD reduction and energy generation. Two scenarios were assessed: electricity and heat cogeneration (S1) and hydrogen production (S2). Process simulations in Aspen Plus ® V14, based on lab-scale APR data, provided upscaled material and energy flows for techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, and energy sustainability analysis of a 2.5 m 3 /h plant. At 75% ethanol conversion, the minimum selling price (MSP) was USD0.80/kWh with a carbon footprint of 0.08 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh for S1 and USD7.00/kg with 2.57 kg CO 2 -eq/kg H 2 for S2. Interestingly, S1 revealed a non-linear trade-off between APR performance and energy integration, with higher ethanol conversion leading to a higher electricity selling price because of the increased heat reactor duty. In both cases, the main contributors to global warming potential (GWP) were platinum extraction/recovery and residual COD treatment. Both scenarios achieved a positive energy balance, with an energy return on investment (EROI) of 1.57 for S1 and 2.71 for S2. This study demonstrates the potential of APR as a strategy for self-sufficient energy valorization and additional revenue generation in wine-producing regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Farnocchia & Carlos E. Gómez-Camacho & Giuseppe Pipitone & Roland Hischier & Raffaele Pirone & Samir Bensaid, 2025. "Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessments of Aqueous Phase Reforming for the Energetic Valorization of Winery Wastewaters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-34, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7856-:d:1738807
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Pipitone & Raffaele Pirone & Samir Bensaid, 2024. "Aqueous Phase Reforming of Dairy Wastewater for Hydrogen Production: An Experimental and Energetic Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Xu, Chunping & Paone, Emilia & Rodríguez-Padrón, Daily & Luque, Rafael & Mauriello, Francesco, 2020. "Reductive catalytic routes towards sustainable production of hydrogen, fuels and chemicals from biomass derived polyols," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    3. R. D. Cortright & R. R. Davda & J. A. Dumesic, 2002. "Hydrogen from catalytic reforming of biomass-derived hydrocarbons in liquid water," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6901), pages 964-967, August.
    4. Lei Yang & Caixia Hao & Yina Chai, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of Commercial Delivery Trucks: Diesel, Plug-In Electric, and Battery-Swap Electric," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, December.
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