Environment impact and bioenergy analysis on the microwave pyrolysis of WAS from food industry: Comparison of CO2 and N2 atmosphere

Mong, Guo Ren and Liew, Chin Seng and Chong, William Woei Fong and Siti Aminah Mohd Nor and Ng, Jo-Han and Rubia Idris and Chiong, Meng Choung and Lim, Jun Wei and Zainul Akmar Zakaria and Woon, Kok Sin (2022) Environment impact and bioenergy analysis on the microwave pyrolysis of WAS from food industry: Comparison of CO2 and N2 atmosphere. Journal of Environmental Management, 319. pp. 1-10. ISSN 0301-4797

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URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...

Abstract

The alarming output of waste activated sludge (WAS) from industries requires proper management routes to minimize its impact on the environment during disposal. Pyrolysis is a feasible way of processing and valorizing WAS into higher-value products of alternate use. Despite extensive research into the potential of WAS through pyrolysis, the technology's long-term viability and environmental impact have yet to be fully revealed. In addition, the environmental effects of utilizing different pyrolysis atmosphere (N2 or CO2) has not been studied before, although benefits of CO2 reactivity during pyrolysis have been discovered. This study evaluates the process's environmental impact, carbon footprint, and bioenergy yield when different pyrolysis atmospheres are used. The global warming potential (GWP) for a functional unit of 1 t of dried WAS is 203.81 kg CO2 eq. The heat required during pyrolysis contributes the most (63.7%) towards GWP due to high energy usage, followed by the drying process (23.6%). Transportation contributes the most towards toxicity impact (59.3%) through dust, NOx, NH3 and SO2 emissions. The initial moisture content of raw WAS (65%) greatly impacts overall energy consumption and environmental impact. Pyrolysis in an N2 atmosphere will result in a higher overall bioenergy yield (833 kWh/tonne) and a lower carbon footprint (−1.09 kg CO2/tonne). However, when CO2 was used, the specific energy value within the biochar is higher (22.26 MJ/kg) due to enhanced carbonization. The carbon content of gas derived increased due to higher CO yield. From an energy perspective, the current setup will achieve a net positive bioenergy yield of 561 kW (CO2) and 833 kW (N2), where end products like biochar, bio-oil and gas can be used for power production. Despite the energy-intensive process, microwave pyrolysis has excellent potential to achieve a negative carbon footprint. The biochar used for soil amendment served as a good carbon sink. The utilization of CO2 as carrier gases provides a pathway to utilize anthropogenic CO2, which helps reduce global warming. This work demonstrates microwave pyrolysis as a negative emission, bioenergy-producing approach for WAS disposal and valorization.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Life cycle assessment , Microwave pyrolysis , Waste-to-energy , Waste activated sludge , CO2 utilization , Valorization
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD1-1066 Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Science and Natural Resources
Depositing User:	SAFRUDIN BIN DARUN -
Date Deposited:	15 Sep 2022 16:10
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2022 16:10
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/34135

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