Sustainable management and recycling of food waste anaerobic digestate: A review. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dutta, Shanta; He, Mingjing; Xiong, Xinni; Tsang, Daniel C.W.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 341(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Hydrochar production -- Engineered biochar -- Pyrolysis -- Hydrothermal carbonisation -- Bioenergy recovery; 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.2021.125915
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Food waste digestate (FWD) should be valorised for sustainable waste management. FWD can be valorised for biofertilisers, carbon-based materials, and solid biofuel. Pyrolysis and Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) of FWD can offer diverse applications. HTC can significantly enhance the dewaterability of high-moisture FWD. Integration of anaerobic digestion and HTC is recommended to close the resource loop. Abstract: Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a widely used technology to valorise food waste for biogas production yet a considerable amount of digestate remains under-utilised. Sustainable management and recycling of the nutrient-rich food waste anaerobic digestate (FWD) is highly desirable for closing resource loop and actualising circular economy. This work reviews the distinct properties of FWD and the existing treatment technologies. FWD shows great prospects as a nutrient source for microalgal cultivation and biofuel production. Emerging technologies such as thermal conversion ( e.g., pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment) of FWD into value-added products such as functionalised biochar/hydrochar with diverse applications would be attractive and warrant further research investigation. Integrated AD with subsequent valorisation facilities is highly encouraged to achieve complete utilisation of resources and reduce carbon emissions.