Converting the organic fraction of solid waste from the city of Abu Dhabi to valuable products via dark fermentation – Economic and energy assessment

Journal Article · Mon Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WASMAN.2015.03.008· OSTI ID:22472513

Bonk, Fabian; Bastidas-Oyanedel, Juan-Rodrigo

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • The cost and energy demand for dark fermentation using OFMSW were established. • Dark fermentation using OFMSW can produce a carbon source for bioprocesses of about 330 USD/t{sub COD}. • A maximum purification cost of VFAs from dark fermentation using OFMSW was established to 15 USD/m{sup 3}. • Replacing fossil fuel based products by dark fermentation will probably lead to net energy savings. - Abstract: Landfilling the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) leads to greenhouse gas emissions and loss of valuable resources. Sustainable and cost efficient solutions need to be developed to solve this problem. This study evaluates the feasibility of using dark fermentation (DF) to convert the OFMSW to volatile fatty acids (VFAs), fertilizer and H{sub 2}. The VFAs in the DF effluent can be used directly as substrate for subsequent bioprocesses or purified from the effluent for industrial use. DF of the OFMSW in Abu Dhabi will be economically sustainable once VFA purification can be accomplished on large scale for less than 15 USD/m{sup 3}{sub effluent}. With a VFA minimum selling price of 330 USD/t{sub COD}, DF provides a competitive carbon source to sugar. Furthermore, DF is likely to use less energy than conventional processes that produce VFAs, fertilizer and H{sub 2}. This makes DF of OFMSW a promising waste treatment technology and biorefinery platform.

• OSTI ID: 22472513
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Vol. 40; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CARBON SOURCES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENERGY DEMAND
FERMENTATION
FERTILIZERS
FOSSIL FUELS
GREENHOUSE GASES
HYDROGEN
INVESTMENT
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NET ENERGY
ORGANIC WASTES
PRICES
SACCHAROSE
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SOLID WASTES
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
WASTE PROCESSING