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Biogas, Biomethane and Digestate Potential of By-Products from Green Biorefinery Systems

Author

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  • Rajeev Ravindran

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technology, V92 CX88 Tralee, Ireland)

  • Kwame Donkor

    (Celignis Limited, Unit 11 Holland Road, Plassey Technology Park, Castletroy, Co., V94 7Y42 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Lalitha Gottumukkala

    (Celignis Limited, Unit 11 Holland Road, Plassey Technology Park, Castletroy, Co., V94 7Y42 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Abhay Menon

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technology, V92 CX88 Tralee, Ireland)

  • Amita Jacob Guneratnam

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technology, V92 CX88 Tralee, Ireland)

  • Helena McMahon

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technology, V92 CX88 Tralee, Ireland)

  • Sybrandus Koopmans

    (Grassa BV, Campus Building Villa Flora, Box 72, Villafloraweg 1, 5928 SZ Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Johan P. M. Sanders

    (Grassa BV, Campus Building Villa Flora, Box 72, Villafloraweg 1, 5928 SZ Venlo, The Netherlands
    Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Bornse Weildanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • James Gaffey

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technology, V92 CX88 Tralee, Ireland)

Abstract

Global warming and climate change are imminent threats to the future of humankind. A shift from the current reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Biological raw materials and residues can play a key role in this transition through technologies such as anaerobic digestion. However, biological raw materials must also meet other existing food, feed and material needs. Green biorefinery is an innovative concept in which green biomass, such as grass, is processed to obtain a variety of protein products, value-added co-products and renewable energy, helping to meet many needs from a single source. In this study, an analysis has been conducted to understand the renewable energy potential of green biorefinery by-products and residues, including grass whey, de-FOS whey and press cake. Using anaerobic digestion, the biogas and biomethane potential of these samples have been analyzed. An analysis of the fertiliser potential of the resulting digestate by-products has also been undertaken. All the feedstocks tested were found to be suitable for biogas production with grass whey, the most suitable candidate with a biogas and biomethane production yield of 895.8 and 544.6 L/kg VS, respectively, followed by de-FOS whey and press cake (597.4/520.3 L/kg VS and 510.7/300.3 L/kg VS, respectively). The results show considerable potential for utilizing biorefinery by-products as a source for renewable energy production, even after several value-added products have been co-produced.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajeev Ravindran & Kwame Donkor & Lalitha Gottumukkala & Abhay Menon & Amita Jacob Guneratnam & Helena McMahon & Sybrandus Koopmans & Johan P. M. Sanders & James Gaffey, 2022. "Biogas, Biomethane and Digestate Potential of By-Products from Green Biorefinery Systems," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:4:y:2022:i:1:p:3-50:d:726261
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Santamaría-Fernández, M. & Molinuevo-Salces, B. & Lübeck, M. & Uellendahl, H., 2018. "Biogas potential of green biomass after protein extraction in an organic biorefinery concept for feed, fuel and fertilizer production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PB), pages 769-775.
    2. Tim Patterson & Jaime Massanet‐Nicolau & Rhys Jones & Alessio Boldrin & Francesco Valentino & Richard Dinsdale & Alan Guwy, 2021. "Utilizing grass for the biological production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) via green biorefining: Material and energy flows," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(3), pages 802-815, June.
    3. Michael E. Mann, 2019. "Radical reform and the Green New Deal," Nature, Nature, vol. 573(7774), pages 340-341, September.
    4. Luis Miguel Fonseca & José Pedro Domingues & Alina Mihaela Dima, 2020. "Mapping the Sustainable Development Goals Relationships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. James Gaffey & Cathal O’Donovan & Declan Murphy & Tracey O’Connor & David Walsh & Luis Alejandro Vergara & Kwame Donkor & Lalitha Gottumukkala & Sybrandus Koopmans & Enda Buckley & Kevin O’Connor & Jo, 2023. "Synergetic Benefits for a Pig Farm and Local Bioeconomy Development from Extended Green Biorefinery Value Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-22, May.

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