Submit to Energies Review for Energies Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 16040

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yeo-Myeong Yun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
Interests: waste to energy; value-added products from organic resources; environmental engineering

Dr. Jun-Gyu Park

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
Interests: anaerobic digestion; microbial electrochemistry; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the main global issues facing modern society is the rapidly increasing production of wastes. In many countries, sustainable waste management has become a major political priority. Waste-to-energy (WtE) or energy-from-waste (EfW) is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source.

We are pleased to invite you to submit original research papers and critical review papers to a Special Issue of Energies on the topic of “Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy”.

This Special Issue is seeking original contributions regarding recent developments and ideas in sustainable waste management and potential for WtE. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following: thermochemical and biological processes of waste treatment, energy recovery from wastes, energy harvesting and utilization, and life-cycle analysis (LCA) of waste management.

Dr. Yeo-Myeong Yun
Dr. Jun-Gyu Park
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Anaerobic bioprocesses
Wastes management
Bioelectrochemical technologies
Conductive materials and electron transfer
Recovery of value-added products from wastes
Renewable hydrogen production
Microbial metagenomics in biological waste treatment processes
Bioprocess engineering and design
Life-cycle analysis (LCA) of waste management

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

19 pages, 6562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Odour Load of Selected Elements of the Technological Line at a Municipal Waste Biogas Plant

by Marta Wiśniewska, Andrzej Kulig and Krystyna Lelicińska-Serafin

Energies 2022, 15(7), 2427; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15072427 - 25 Mar 2022

Viewed by 1292

Abstract

Technological processes associated with municipal solid waste (MSW) processing are a potential source of odorant emissions, i.e., substances that cause negative olfactory impressions. When released into the atmosphere, these substances can cause odour nuisance complaints from residents. Many scientists have noted the strong relationship between odorant emission sources and odour concentrations and their significant impact on the living comfort of residents near these sources, as well as their social and economic relations. This paper attempts to estimate the odour load of selected elements of the technological sequence of a biogas plant processing municipal waste. Odour load was characterised by four constituents: odorant emissions, odour emissions, the variability of these emissions, and the emission levels per 1 Mg (1000 kg) of waste. The highest odour emissions accompany the storage of mixed MSW, which is associated with a large amount of waste. Limiting the storage time of waste should be an indispensable part of the technological regime. The dominant odorant associated with mixed MSW storage is NH₃ emissions. The greatest variability of odorant and odour emissions concerns gases captured from selectively collected waste plastics and metals, due to the varied forms of selective waste collection in the service area, and their unstable efficiency. High variability of NH₃ and odour emissions also accompanies digestate dewatering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Model for Municipal Waste Treatment Systems Evaluation including Energy Recovery

by Robert Giel and Artur Kierzkowski

Energies 2022, 15(1), 31; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15010031 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2252

Abstract

One of the recent problems on waste sorting systems is their performance evaluation for proper decision making and management. For this purpose, multi-criteria methods can be used to evaluate the sorting system from both operational and financial perspectives. According to a recent literature review, there are no solutions for evaluating waste sorting systems that take into account: sorting point utilisation, sorting efficiency, waste stream irregularity, and technical system availability. In addition, the problem of data uncertainty and the need to use expert judgements indicate the need for the implementation of methods adjusted to the qualitative and quantitative assessment, such as the fuzzy approach. Following this, in order to overcome the presented limitations, the authors introduced the new assessment method for waste sorting systems based on multi-criteria model implementation and fuzzy theory use. Therefore, the developed model was based on a hierarchical fuzzy logic model for which appropriate membership function parameters and inference rules were defined. The specificity of the chosen assessment criteria and their justification was provided. The model has been implemented to evaluate one of the waste sorting plants in Wroclaw, Poland. Tests have been conducted for seven different configurations of waste sorting lines (with variable input parameters). The study focuses on analysing the amount of selected waste at each station in relation to the total stream size of each fraction. Efficiency was measured by the mass of the collected waste and the number of pieces of waste in each fraction. Based on the obtained results, estimations of particular parameters of the model were made, and the results were presented and commented on. It was shown that there is a significant relationship between the level of system evaluation and sorting efficiency and an inverse relationship with the level of RDF obtained. The analysis was based on Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient estimation and linear regression implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Biogas Production from Organic Wastes Mixed at Optimal Ratios in an Anaerobic Co-Digestion Reactor

by Young-Ju Song, Kyung-Su Oh, Beom Lee, Dae-Won Pak, Ji-Hwan Cha and Jun-Gyu Park

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14206812 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2496

Abstract

This study determined the optimal mixing ratio of food waste and livestock manure for efficient co-digestion of sewage sludge by applying the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test, Design Expert software, and continuous reactor operation. The BMP test of sewage sludge revealed a maximum methane yield of 334 mL CH₄/g volatile solids (VS) at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 4 kg VS/(m³·d). For food waste, the maximum methane yield was 573 mL CH₄/g VS at an OLR of 6 kg VS/(m³·d). Livestock manure showed the lowest methane yield. The BMP tests with various mixing ratios confirmed that a higher mixing ratio of food waste resulted in a higher methane yield, which showed improved biodegradability and an improved VS removal rate. The optimal mixing ratio of 2:1:1 for sewage sludge, food waste, and livestock manure was determined using Design Expert 10. Using continuous co-digestion reactor operation under an optimal mixing ratio, greater organic matter removal and methane yield was possible. The process stability of co-digestion of optimally mixed substrate was improved compared with that of operations with each substrate alone. Therefore, co-digestion could properly maintain the balance of each stage of anaerobic digestion reactions by complementing the characteristics of each substrate under a higher OLR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 2596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mill Scale Addition to Reduce Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Anaerobic Digestion

by Byung-Kyu Ahn, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jiyun Seon, Seung-Kyun Park and Yeo-Myeong Yun

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6542; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14206542 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1757

Abstract

Direct addition of sulfur-reducing agents during anaerobic digestion (AD) is very effective in controlling hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) content in biogas, although one major problem is the high operational cost due to the large amount of chemicals used. The objective of this study was to remove H₂S using a waste mill scale (MS) as a sulfur-reducing agent. To evaluate its feasibility, MS was added to AD fed with food waste (FW) at concentrations between 0 and 160 g MS/kg total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) during the batch test, and the experimental results were compared to those of the batch test with the addition of iron chloride (FeCl₃). Both FeCl₃ and MS played an important role as electro-conductive materials in improving methane productivity by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer. An increase in H₂S removal efficiency was observed with increases in both materials. In total, 30%, 60%, and 90% of H₂S production based on the maximum sulfur in the form of H₂S (control) was 3.7, 9.4, and 23.8 g FeCl₃/kg TCOD and 13.3, 34.1, and 86.2 g MS/kg TCOD, respectively. This finding indicates that MS can be used as a sulfur-reducing agent substitute for H₂S removal in AD fed with FW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 1596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microbiome of Seven Full-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants in South Korea: Effect of Feedstock and Operational Parameters

by Michal Sposob, Hee-Sung Moon, Dongjin Lee and Yeo-Myeong Yun

Energies 2021, 14(3), 665; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14030665 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2736

Abstract

In this study, the microbiomes linked with the operational parameters in seven mesophilic full-scale AD plants mainly treating food waste (four plants) and sewage sludge (three plants) were analyzed. The results obtained indicated lower diversity and evenness of the microbial population in sludge digestion (SD) plants compared to food digestion (FD) plants. Candidatus Accumulibacter dominated (up to 42.1%) in SD plants due to microbial immigration from fed secondary sludge (up to 89%). Its potential activity in SD plants was correlated to H₂ production, which was related to the dominance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanococcus). In FD plants, a balance between the hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic pathways was found, while Flavobacterium and Levilinea played an important role during acidogenesis. Levilinea also expressed sensitivity to ammonia in FD plants. The substantial differences in hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR), and total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) among the studied FD plants did not influence the archaeal methane production pathway. In addition, the bacterial genera responsible for acetate production through syntrophy and homoacetogenesis (Smithella, Treponema) were present in all the plants studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biogas Production from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Spent Mushroom Substrate with Different Livestock Manure

by Xionghui Gao, Xiaoyu Tang, Kunyang Zhao, Venkatesh Balan and Qili Zhu

Energies 2021, 14(3), 570; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14030570 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4321

Abstract

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is defined as the biomass waste generated during industrial mushroom cultivation. Utilization of SMS has been extensively researched and has immense potential as a sustainable substrate for generating biogas that can offset fossil fuel use. This closed loop energy generation process that can be set up in mushroom plants will reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will benefit the environment. Anaerobic co-digestion of SMS with different agricultural wastes such as livestock manure would result in enhanced biogas production. In this study, the anaerobic co-digestion of SMS was carried out by combing yellow back fungus SMS along with chicken, dairy and pig manure. SMS combined with chicken manure yielded a slightly higher cumulative methane yield when compared with the combination of dairy manure and pig manure. Factors such as the total solids (TS) and the relative ratio of manure to SMS loading had a significant impact on the cumulative methane yield, volatile solids removal, with a particularly prominent synergistic effect. The synergistic effect was also closely related to the C/N ratio, and under experimental conditions (TS = 15%, SMS relative ratio of 50% and C/N ratio = 25.6), the cumulative methane yield of SMS with chicken manure (CM) was increased by 414% compared with that obtained using SMS or CM separately. We carried out a multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis, a statistical technique that uses several explanatory variables to predict the outcome of a response variable. Our analysis concluded that by using operating conditions (TS = 15%, and SMS ratio = 38.9), we were able to achieve the maximum cumulative methane yield (CMY). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Waste Management and Potential for Waste-to-Energy

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI