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Title Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production from biogas in waste treatment facilities: Assessing the potential impacts on economy, environment and society
ID_Doc 25980
Authors Pérez, V; Mota, CR; Muñoz, R; Lebrero, R
Title Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production from biogas in waste treatment facilities: Assessing the potential impacts on economy, environment and society
Year 2020
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126929
Abstract Using the biogas generated from organic waste anaerobic treatment to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) has emerged as an attractive alternative to heat and power generation (CHP) in waste treatment plants. The sustainability of biogas combustion for CHP, biogas bioconversion into PHA and a combination of both scenarios was compared in terms of environmental impact, process economics and social responsibility according to the IChemE Sustainability Metrics. Although PHA production presented higher investment and operational costs, a comparable economic performance was observed in all biogas valorization scenarios regarding net present value (0.77 M(sic)) and internal rate of return (6.4 +/- 0.2%) due to the higher market value of biopolymers. The PHA production entailed a significant reduction of atmospheric acidification and odor emissions compared to CHP despite showing higher land, water, chemicals and energy requirements. Job creation associated to biopolymer industry and the increasing public demand for bioproducts were identified as fundamental aspects for enhancing social and local acceptance of waste processing facilities. This study demonstrated that PHA production from biogas constitutes nowadays a realistic alternative to CHP in waste treatment plants and that PHA can be produced at a competitive market price when biogas is used for internal energy provision (4.2 (sic)kg(-1) PHA). (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Author Keywords Biogas valorization; Biopolymer; Circular economy; IChemE sustainability metrics; Methanotrophic bacteria; Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000538127800034
WoS Category Environmental Sciences
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126929
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