Material flow and sustainability analyses of biorefining of municipal solid waste. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sadhukhan, Jhuma; Martinez-Hernandez, Elias
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 243(2017)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Levulinic acid -- Techno-economic analysis -- Integrated biorefinery and resource recovery from waste (RRfW) -- Process integration -- Circular economy -- Life cycle assessment (LCA); 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.2017.06.078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: MRF and biorefinery integration for resource recovery from waste (RRfW). Integrated system produces levulinic acid, fertiliser and electricity. 7.4% mass yield of levulinic acid produced from MSW gives 204 Euro/t net margin. Global warming potential (GWP) saving is 2.4 kg CO2 -eq per kg levulinic acid. Process integration, essential for achieving the estimated benefits from MSW. Abstract: This paper presents material flow and sustainability analyses of novel mechanical biological chemical treatment system for complete valorization of municipal solid waste (MSW). It integrates material recovery facility (MRF); pulping, chemical conversion; effluent treatment plant (ETP), anaerobic digestion (AD); and combined heat and power (CHP) systems producing end products: recyclables (24.9% by mass of MSW), metals (2.7%), fibre (1.5%); levulinic acid (7.4%); recyclable water (14.7%), fertiliser (8.3%); and electricity (0.126 MWh/t MSW), respectively. Refuse derived fuel (RDF) and non-recyclable other waste, char and biogas from MRF, chemical conversion and AD systems, respectively, are energy recovered in the CHP system. Levulinic acid gives profitability independent of subsidies; MSW priced at 50 Euro/t gives a margin of 204 Euro/t. Global warming potential savings are 2.4 and 1.3 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of levulinic acid and fertiliser, and 0.17 kg CO2 equivalent per MJ of grid electricity offset, respectively.