Technical and economic assessment of food waste valorization through a biorefinery chain. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demichelis, Francesca; Fiore, Silvia; Pleissner, Daniel; Venus, Joachim
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 94(2018)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Integrated biorefinery -- Economic assessment -- Energy balance -- Food waste -- Lactic acid -- Biogas; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.05.064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: This work presents the economic assessment of an integrated biorefinery process for sequential fermentative production of lactic acid and biogas from food waste. The integrated biorefinery process was compared to single processes for either lactic acid or biogas production. The economic assessment, considering catchment areas from 2000 to 1 million inhabitants, was based on data from real biorefinery plants and carried out using SuperPro Designer ® 8.0. The consistency of the approach was evaluated through a set of composite indicators. The integrated biorefinery process was investigated for its economic feasibility of producing lactic acid and biogas, the impact of process scale as well as energy use. Outcomes revealed that an integrated biorefinery process contributes more to optimal use of energy and material flows than single processes. Profitability was confirmed for catchment areas larger than 20, 000–50, 000 inhabitants. Highlights: Conversion of food waste into lactic acid and biogas is economically feasible. Integrated biorefinery exhibits various technical and economic benefits. Energy balance and mass flows proved the convenience of integrated biorefinery. Integrated biorefinery was more cost-efficient than single processes. Demonstration of cost-effectiveness for at least 20, 000–50, 000 inhabitants.