Techno-economic analysis of a food waste valorization process via microalgae cultivation and co-production of plasticizer, lactic acid and animal feed from algal biomass and food waste. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwan, Tsz Him; Pleissner, Daniel; Lau, Kin Yan; Venus, Joachim; Pommeret, Aude; Lin, Carol Sze Ki
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 198(2015)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 299
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Food waste valorization -- Microalgae -- Plasticizer -- Lactic acid -- Animal feed; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.09.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: A techno-economic study of food waste valorization was done with Super-Pro Designer®. The process included fungal hydrolysis, microalgae cultivation and biomass processing. Production of lactic acid and plasticizer from food waste was economically feasible. The NPV and IRR were US$ 3, 028, 000 and 18.98%, respectively. Price of lactic acid was the largest determinant of the profitability. Abstract: A techno-economic study of food waste valorization via fungal hydrolysis, microalgae cultivation and production of plasticizer, lactic acid and animal feed was simulated and evaluated by Super-Pro Designer®. A pilot-scale plant was designed with a capacity of 1 metric ton day −1 of food waste with 20 years lifetime. Two scenarios were proposed with different products: Scenario (I) plasticizer & lactic acid, Scenario (II) plasticizer & animal feed. It was found that only Scenario I was economically feasible. The annual net profits, net present value, payback period and internal rate of return were US$ 422, 699, US$ 3, 028, 000, 7.56 years and 18.98%, respectively. Scenario II was not economic viable due to a deficit of US$ 42, 632 per year. Sensitivity analysis showed that the price of lactic acid was the largest determinant of the profitability in Scenario I, while the impact of the variables was very close in Scenario II.