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Title: Waste-to-Energy biofuel production potential for selected feedstocks in the conterminous United States

Journal Article · · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
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Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies offer the promise of diverting organic wastes, including wastewater sludge, livestock waste, and food waste, for beneficial energy use while reducing the quantities of waste that are disposed or released to the environment. To ensure economic and environmental viability of WtE feedstocks, it is critical to gain an understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of waste production. Detailed information about waste characteristics, capture/diversion, transport requirements, available conversion technologies and overall energy conversion efficiency is also required. Building on the development of a comprehensive WtE feedstock database that includes municipal wastewater sludge; animal manure; food processing waste; and fats, oils, and grease for the conterminous United States, we conducted a detailed analysis of the wastes’ potential for biofuel production on a site-specific basis. Our analysis indicates that with conversion by hydrothermal liquefaction, these wastes have the potential to produce up to 22.3 GL/y (5.9 BG/y) of a bio-crude oil intermediate that can be upgraded and refined into a variety of liquid fuels, in particular renewable diesel and aviation kerosene. Conversion to aviation kerosene can potentially meet 23.9% of current U.S. demand.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830; AC36-08GO28308; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1724309
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1407462; OSTI ID: 1413519; OSTI ID: 1430420
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-6A20-68470; PNNL-SA-125982; S1364032117313631; PII: S1364032117313631
Journal Information:
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal Name: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Vol. 82 Journal Issue: P3; ISSN 1364-0321
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 80 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Cited By (3)

Algal-based biofuel generation through flue gas and wastewater utilization: a sustainable prospective approach journal December 2019
Characterization of waste bio-oil as an alternate source of renewable fuel for marine engines journal June 2019
Continuous Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass in a Novel Pilot Plant with Heat Recovery and Hydraulic Oscillation journal October 2018

Figures / Tables (15)

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