Life cycle assessment of the use of nanomaterials in biogas production from anaerobic digestion of manure. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hijazi, O.; Abdelsalam, E.; Samer, M.; Attia, Y.A.; Amer, B.M.A.; Amer, M.A.; Badr, M.; Bernhardt, H.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 148(2020)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Life cycle analysis -- Nanoparticles -- Nanomaterials -- Biogas production -- Greenhouse gases -- Manure; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, the use of nanomaterials as biostimulators for the methanogenic bacteria has been commonly deployed. This is to maximize the biogas production from livestock manure through the anaerobic digestion processes. Yet, the environmental impact of the nanomaterials as manure additives has not been evaluated. In this respect, different nanoparticles (NPs) of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and iron oxide (Fe3 O4 ) were used in biogas production to study their environmental impact using life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Global warming, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, acidification, eutrophication, resource depletion, human toxicity potential, and ozone layer depletion potential were investigated. The results showed that Co NPs was the most effective in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions through electricity production. The greenhouse gas emissions were 0.0366, 0.0276, 0.0225, 0.0336 and 0.0290 kg CO2 eq./MJ elect. for the control, Ni NPs, Co NPs, Fe NPs and Fe3 O4 NPs, respectively. Furthermore, Co NPs delivered the lowest acidification, human toxicity potential and eutrophication values. While, Ni NPs delivered the lowest resource and ozone layer depletion values. Highlights: Addition of cobalt nanoparticles causes the lowest negative environmental impact. Biogas produced from manure using the standard method was the worst case. High energy generation versus environmentally-friendly processes were investigated.