Journal of Energy Management and Technology

Journal of Energy Management and Technology

Green Energy from Food Waste Conversion: A Comprehensive Review of Advanced Technologies

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Mohsen Salimi 1
Ali Nazari 2
Morteza Hosseinpour 3
Alireza Mahmoudpour 4
Majid Amidpour 5
1 Renewable Energy Research Department, NRI
2 Department of Energy System Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 15, Pardis St., Molasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty member (Assistant Professor), Renewable Energy Research Department, Niroo Research Institute (NRI), Ministry of Energy, IRAN (IRI). Address: Iran- Tehran- Shahrak Ghods -End of Dadman Blvd. Niroo Research Institute. P.O. Box: 14665/517
4 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization of Iran (SATBA), Tehran 1468612122, Iran
5 Mechanical Engineering Department, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22109/jemt.2024.461802.1510
Abstract
The usage of renewables is growing around the world, and energy production from biomass resources, including food waste (FW) is one of the fields regarding this phenomenon. This paper explores various waste-to-energy (WtE) conversion methods, emphasizing their significance in addressing both waste management and energy production challenges. Biochemical methods such as anaerobic digestion and landfill gas production capitalize on microbial activity to generate biogas from organic waste. Additionally, bioethanol production through fermentation offers a viable route for converting lignocellulosic waste into ethanol. Combustion methods, including direct combustion and waste incineration, harness the calorific value of solid biomass resources for electricity and heat generation. The global application of WtE technologies is assessed, highlighting the increasing adoption of these methods for sustainable waste management and energy production. Comparative analyses reveal the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of WtE conversion methods, positioning them as essential components of the renewable energy landscape. Ultimately, this paper underscores the potential of WtE technologies to contribute to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. Different sets of assessments demonstrate that the concept of WtE will mostly be used in sectors facing challenges in de-carbonization, the global market is going to witness a 20% rise by 2027, and the usage of biomass resources is going to be more than doubled by 2050.
Keywords
Pyrolysis
Gasification
Anaerobic Digestion
Fermentation
Incinerator

Subjects

[1]          G. Berndes, M. Hoogwijk, and R. Van Den Broek, “The contribution of biomass in the future global energy supply: A review of 17 studies,” Biomass and Bioenergy, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1–28, 2003, doi: 10.1016/S0961-9534(02)00185-X.
[2]          T. Kalak, “Potential Use of Industrial Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 4, 2023, doi: 10.3390/en16041783.
[3]          L. Goodwin, “The Global Benefits of Reducing Food Loss and Waste, and How to Do It,” World Resouse Institute, 2023. https://www.wri.org/insights/reducing-food-loss-and-food-waste (accessed Aug. 30, 2024).
[4]          C. C. Ivanovich, T. Sun, D. R. Gordon, and I. B. Ocko, “Future warming from global food consumption,” Nat. Clim. Chang., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 297–302, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41558-023-01605-8.
[5]          H. M. Mahmudul, M. G. Rasul, D. Akbar, R. Narayanan, and M. Mofijur, “Food waste as a source of sustainable energy: Technical, economical, environmental and regulatory feasibility analysis,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 166, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112577.
[6]          IEA, “Global Energy and Climate Model,” 2023.
[7]          B. Wang, Q. Wang, Y.-M. Wei, and Z.-P. Li, “Role of renewable energy in China’s energy security and climate change mitigation: An index decomposition analysis,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 90, pp. 187–194, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.012.
[8]          N. L. Panwar, S. C. Kaushik, and S. Kothari, “Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 1513–1524, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.037.
[9]          The World Bank, “Trends in Solid Waste Management,” The World Bank, 2023.
[10]        H. Ritchie and M. Roser, “Annual greenhouse gas emissions: how much do we emit each year?,” Our World in Data, 2020.
[11]        K. A. Mar, C. Unger, L. Walderdorff, and T. Butler, “Beyond CO2 equivalence: The impacts of methane on climate, ecosystems, and health,” Environ. Sci. Policy, vol. 134, pp. 127–136, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.03.027.
[12]        K. Stoeva and S. Alriksson, “Influence of recycling programmes on waste separation behaviour,” Waste Manag., vol. 68, pp. 732–741, 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.06.005.
[13]        Z. Aksan and D. Çelikler, “Recycling Awareness Education: Its Impact On Knowledge Levels Of Science Teacher Candidates,” Int. Electron. J. Environ. Educ., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 81–105, 2019.
[14]        P. H. Brunner and H. Rechberger, “Waste to energy – key element for sustainable waste management,” Waste Manag., vol. 37, pp. 3–12, 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2014.02.003.
[15]        R. Kothari, V. V Tyagi, and A. Pathak, “Waste-to-energy: A way from renewable energy sources to sustainable development,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 3164–3170, 2010, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.05.005.
[16]        International Renewable Energy Agency and Climate Policy Initiative, “Global landscape of renewable energy finance,” Abu Dhabi, 2023.
[17]        International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “World energy transitions outlook 2023,” 2023.
[18]        Z. Wang, “1.23 Energy and Air Pollution,” I. B. T.-C. E. S. Dincer, Ed., Oxford: Elsevier, 2018, pp. 909–949. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809597-3.00127-9.
[19]        Z. Yaakob, M. Mohammad, M. Alherbawi, Z. Alam, and K. Sopian, “Overview of the production of biodiesel from Waste cooking oil,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 18, pp. 184–193, 2013, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.10.016.
[20]        B. H. H. Goh et al., “Progress in utilisation of waste cooking oil for sustainable biodiesel and biojet fuel production,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 223, p. 113296, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113296.
[21]        D. Deublein and A. Steinhauser, Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources. 2011. doi: 10.1002/9783527632794.
[22]        A. Samuel and L. B. T.-L. and W. s C. H. I. G. (Tenth E. Dines, Eds., “4 - Fertilisers and manures,” in Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, Woodhead Publishing, 2023, pp. 81–114. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85702-4.00014-5.
[23]        D. Balint et al., Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency for rural areas. 2018.
[24]        T. Kan, V. Strezov, and T. J. Evans, “Lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis: A review of product properties and effects of pyrolysis parameters,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 57, pp. 1126–1140, 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.185.
[25]        J.-H. Jo, S.-S. Kim, J.-W. Shim, Y.-E. Lee, and Y.-S. Yoo, “Pyrolysis Characteristics and Kinetics of Food Wastes,” Energies, vol. 10, no. 8. 2017. doi: 10.3390/en10081191.
[26]        P. Basu, “Chapter 5 - Pyrolysis,” P. B. T.-B. G. Basu  Pyrolysis and Torrefaction (Third Edition), Ed., Academic Press, 2018, pp. 155–187. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812992-0.00005-4.
[27]        V. R.H. and H. H.J., “Pyrolysis Oil Stabilisation by Catalytic Hydrotreatment,” M. A. dos S. Bernardes, Ed., Rijeka: IntechOpen, 2011, p. Ch. 17. doi: 10.5772/18446.
[28]        J. Zhao, Z. Wang, J. Li, B. Yan, and G. Chen, “Pyrolysis of food waste and food waste solid digestate: A comparative investigation,” Bioresour. Technol., vol. 354, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127191.
[29]        Y. Makkawi et al., “Recycling of post-consumption food waste through pyrolysis: Feedstock characteristics, products analysis, reactor performance, and assessment of worldwide implementation potentials,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 272, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116348.
[30]        A. Al-Rumaihi, M. Shahbaz, G. Mckay, H. Mackey, and T. Al-Ansari, “A review of pyrolysis technologies and feedstock: A blending approach for plastic and biomass towards optimum biochar yield,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 167, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112715.
[31]        C. Higman, “Chapter 11 - Gasification,” B. G. Miller and D. A. B. T.-C. E. I. for S. F. S. Tillman, Eds., Burlington: Academic Press, 2008, pp. 423–468. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-373611-6.00011-2.
[32]        A. Molino, S. Chianese, and D. Musmarra, “Biomass gasification technology: The state of the art overview,” J. Energy Chem., vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 10–25, 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2015.11.005.
[33]        International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023,” Paris, 2023.
[34]        J. G. Speight, “3 - Unconventional gas,” J. G. B. T.-N. G. (Second E. Speight, Ed., Boston: Gulf Professional Publishing, 2019, pp. 59–98. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809570-6.00003-5.
[35]        M. R. Deraman, R. Abdul Rasid, M. Othman, and L. Suli, “Co-gasification of coal and empty fruit bunch in an entrained flow gasifier: A process simulation study,” IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 702, p. 12005, Dec. 2019, doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/702/1/012005.
[36]        G. Evans and C. Smith, “5.11 - Biomass to Liquids Technology,” A. B. T.-C. R. E. Sayigh, Ed., Oxford: Elsevier, 2012, pp. 155–204. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-087872-0.00515-1.
[37]        C. Tendero, C. Tixier, P. Tristant, J. Desmaison, and P. Leprince, “Atmospheric pressure plasmas: A review,” Spectrochim. Acta Part B At. Spectrosc., vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 2–30, 2006, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2005.10.003.
[38]        E. Sanjaya and A. Abbas, “Plasma gasification as an alternative energy-from-waste (EFW) technology for the circular economy: An environmental review,” Resour. Conserv. Recycl., vol. 189, p. 106730, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106730.
[39]        NESTE, “The aviation industry must become more sustainable,” NESTE, 2023.
[40]        C. Gutiérrez-Antonio, A. Gómez-De la Cruz, A. G. Romero-Izquierdo, F. I. Gómez-Castro, and S. Hernández, “Modeling, simulation and intensification of hydroprocessing of micro-algae oil to produce renewable aviation fuel,” Clean Technol. Environ. Policy, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 1589–1598, 2018, doi: 10.1007/s10098-018-1561-z.
[41]        M. Sofokleous, A. Christofi, D. Malamis, S. Mai, and E. M. Barampouti, “Bioethanol and biogas production: an alternative valorisation pathway for green waste,” Chemosphere, vol. 296, p. 133970, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133970.
[42]        J. Mata-Alvarez, S. Macé, and P. Llabrés, “Anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes. An overview of research achievements and perspectives,” Bioresour. Technol., vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 3–16, 2000, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00023-7.
[43]        M. Madsen, J. B. Holm-Nielsen, and K. H. Esbensen, “Monitoring of anaerobic digestion processes: A review perspective,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 3141–3155, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.04.026.
[44]        S. Qiu et al., “Effect of extreme pH conditions on methanogenesis: Methanogen metabolism and community structure,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 877, p. 162702, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162702.
[45]        K. Rajendran, D. Mahapatra, A. V. Venkatraman, S. Muthuswamy, and A. Pugazhendhi, “Advancing anaerobic digestion through two-stage processes: Current developments and future trends,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 123, p. 109746, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109746.
[46]        K. Möller and T. Müller, “Effects of anaerobic digestion on digestate nutrient availability and crop growth: A review,” Eng. Life Sci., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 242–257, Jun. 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201100085.
[47]        R. Labatut, L. Angenent, and N. Scott, “Conventional mesophilic vs. thermophilic anaerobic digestion: A trade-off between performance and stability?,” Water Res., vol. 53C, pp. 249–258, Jan. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.01.035.
[48]        E. Angelonidi and S. R. Smith, “A comparison of wet and dry anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of municipal solid waste and food waste,” Water Environ. J., vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 549–557, Dec. 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12130.
[49]        B. Morelli et al., Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Expansion Options for Food Waste Anaerobic Co-Digestion. 2019.
[50]        International Energy Agency, “An introduction to biogas and biomethane,” Paris, 2020.
[51]        International Energy Agency, “The Role of E-fuels in Decarbonising Transport,” Paris, 2023.
[52]        I. Edeh, “Bioethanol Production: An Overview,” F. Inambao, Ed., Rijeka: IntechOpen, 2020, p. Ch. 1. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.94895.
[53]        E. S. Windfeld and M. S.-L. Brooks, “Medical waste management – A review,” J. Environ. Manage., vol. 163, pp. 98–108, 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.013.
[54]        G. Tchobanoglous and F. Kreith, Eds., Handbook of Solid Waste Management, 2nd Editio. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2002.
[55]        A. Beylot, A. Hochar, P. Michel, M. Descat, Y. Ménard, and J. Villeneuve, “Municipal Solid Waste Incineration in France: An Overview of Air Pollution Control Techniques, Emissions, and Energy Efficiency,” J. Ind. Ecol., vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 1016–1026, Oct. 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12701.
[56]        D. Filipenco, “World waste: statistics by country and short facts,” development aid, 2023.
[57]        The United States Energy Information Administration, “Waste-to-energy plants are a small but stable source of electricity in the United States,” 2023.
[58]        H. Yoo, “Volume of renewable energy produced using waste-to-energy in South Korea from 2010 to 2021,” 2023.
[59]        M. Jaganmohan, “Installed capacity of municipal waste energy in Europe from 2010 to 2023, by country,” 2024.
[60]        R. Laamiri, “What Can Patent Landscape Analysis Tell Us About Innovation in Biofuel Production?,” Questel, 2023.
[61]        Ian Tiseo, “Forecast waste-to-energy market value worldwide from 2019 to 2027,” 2023.
[62]        J. H. Lee and Y. M. Yoon, “Energy Recovery Efficiency of Integrating Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Pig Slurry and Feedlot Cattle Manure and Hydrothermal Carbonization of Anaerobic Sludge Cake,” Processes, vol. 12, no. 1, 2024, doi: 10.3390/pr12010198.
[63]        E. Suarez, M. Tobajas, A. F. Mohedano, and M. A. de la Rubia, “Energy recovery from food waste and garden and park waste: Anaerobic co-digestion versus hydrothermal treatment and anaerobic co-digestion,” Chemosphere, vol. 297, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134223.
[64]        J. J. Rodriguez, R. P. Ipiales, M. A. de la Rubia, E. Diaz, and A. F. Mohedano, “Integration of hydrothermal carbonization and anaerobic digestion for energy recovery of biomass waste: An overview,” Energy and Fuels, vol. 35, no. 21, pp. 17032–17050, 2021, doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c01681.
Journal of Energy Management and Technology
Volume 9, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 68-78

  • Receive Date 08 June 2024
  • Revise Date 03 September 2024
  • Accept Date 16 September 2024