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An introduction to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for sustainable energy and product generation: Relevance and key aspects

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  • Pant, Deepak
  • Singh, Anoop
  • Van Bogaert, Gilbert
  • Gallego, Yolanda Alvarez
  • Diels, Ludo
  • Vanbroekhoven, Karolien

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are devices capable of converting organic waste fraction present in wastewaters into useful energy vectors such as electricity or hydrogen. In recent years a large amount of research has been done on these unique systems in order to improve their performance both in terms of waste treatment as well as electric current production. Already there are plans to upscale this technology to convince the end-users of its potential. However, there are not many studies available on the life cycle of these systems with the current state of the art. In this article a methodology has been proposed to perform the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the BESs and some recommendations have been given which may be useful in carrying out LCA of these systems. Not only the direct benefits in terms of energy saved in aerating the wastewater treatment plants, but also the resulting saving in cost and electric power produced should be factored as well. The results of LCA should show that with current knowledge and existing materials, how well the MFCs compares with the existing treatment methods such as anaerobic digestion. Further, given the amount of research going on in this field, it is expected that with cheaper materials and better microorganisms, the technology will breakthrough even soon.

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  • Pant, Deepak & Singh, Anoop & Van Bogaert, Gilbert & Gallego, Yolanda Alvarez & Diels, Ludo & Vanbroekhoven, Karolien, 2011. "An introduction to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for sustainable energy and product generation: Relevance and key aspects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1305-1313, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:15:y:2011:i:2:p:1305-1313
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    7. Sadhukhan, Jhuma & Lloyd, Jon R. & Scott, Keith & Premier, Giuliano C. & Yu, Eileen H. & Curtis, Tom & Head, Ian M., 2016. "A critical review of integration analysis of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems with waste biorefineries for the production of biofuel and chemical from reuse of CO2," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 116-132.
    8. He, Li & Du, Peng & Chen, Yizhong & Lu, Hongwei & Cheng, Xi & Chang, Bei & Wang, Zheng, 2017. "Advances in microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 388-403.
    9. Escapa, A. & Mateos, R. & Martínez, E.J. & Blanes, J., 2016. "Microbial electrolysis cells: An emerging technology for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. From laboratory to pilot plant and beyond," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 942-956.
    10. Anusha Ganta & Yasser Bashir & Sovik Das, 2022. "Dairy Wastewater as a Potential Feedstock for Valuable Production with Concurrent Wastewater Treatment through Microbial Electrochemical Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-34, November.
    11. Leicester, Daniel & Amezaga, Jaime & Heidrich, Elizabeth, 2020. "Is bioelectrochemical energy production from wastewater a reality? Identifying and standardising the progress made in scaling up microbial electrolysis cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    12. Aerni, Philipp, 2011. "Lock-in Situations in the Global Debates on Climate Change, Biotechnology and International Trade," Papers 317, World Trade Institute.
    13. Rawat, I. & Ranjith Kumar, R. & Mutanda, T. & Bux, F., 2013. "Biodiesel from microalgae: A critical evaluation from laboratory to large scale production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 444-467.
    14. Anoop Singh & Surajbhan Sevda & Ibrahim M. Abu Reesh & Karolien Vanbroekhoven & Dheeraj Rathore & Deepak Pant, 2015. "Biohydrogen Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Technology and Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Moreno, R. & San-Martín, M.I. & Escapa, A. & Morán, A., 2016. "Domestic wastewater treatment in parallel with methane production in a microbial electrolysis cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 442-448.

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