Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation

Sunil Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Ashok Pandey

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780444640840
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation provides extensive research on the role of waste management processes/technologies for energy generation. The enormous increase of waste materials generated by human activity and its potentially harmful effects on the environment and public health have led to an increasing awareness of an urgent need to adopt scientific methods for the safe disposal of wastes. This book outlines the basic knowledge, processes and technologies for the generation of energy from waste and functions as an important reference for academics and practitioners at varying levels of interest and knowledge.

The book's content encompasses all issues for energy recovery from waste in a very clear and simple manner, acting as a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking an understanding on the topic.

• Outlines the latest technologies used for waste conversion into energy and facilitates project evaluation based on these technologies
• Summarizes the pros and cons of various processes
• Includes case studies and economic analysis

Chapter 1

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation

An Introduction

Sunil Kumar¹, and Ashok Pandey^{2 1}Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division, CSIR – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, India ²Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR – Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India

Abstract

The global population and consumption are directly linked to the generation of waste. Owing to rapid urbanization and industrialization, waste generation is increasing day by day, and hence, it is necessary to use resources optimally. Also, it is equally important to reduce the detrimental effects of waste, such as land encroachment and social and environmental constraints through appropriate waste management options. To meet the need of the present population and to build up a resource-enriched planet for the future, there is a strong need for the use of alternative resources in a low-carbon energy system. There is also a need for novel techniques and technologies that can improve the efficiency of the energy sector. Valorization of waste is one of the ways to promote an alternative energy source. There are various waste management technologies that can turn the waste into a value-added product. Tools such as biotechnology and bioengineering can be applied to the waste stream to bring the hidden potential of waste to the forefront. Other value-added products like chemicals, bioproducts, etc., can also be achieved from feedstock waste or organic waste using the application of biotechnology and bioengineering. This chapter deals with the tactical vision, opportunities, potential, and role of biotechnology and bioengineering in the waste management sector. The available sophisticated technologies of waste to energy (WTE) are helpful in generating cost-effective energy and can boost the viable energy sector. This chapter also provides a brief preview of the existing waste-conversion technologies, factors affecting the bioconversion technologies, challenges related to commercialization, and global policies to promote WTE.

Keywords

Bioengineering; Biotechnology; Valorization; Waste management; WTE

1. Introduction

The enormous generation of waste due to a growing population and rapid urbanization is a grave concern in the present era. According to the joint report published by the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Solid Waste Association entitled “Global Waste Management Outlook” (2015), the global generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is 2.0 billion tons per annum [1]. The astonishing fact is that half of the world's population does not have regular trash collection. According to the World Bank [2], the amount of waste generation is expected to rise to 4.0 billion tons by 2100. The land on which life is sustained has now become a global garbage can. Waste management in developing nations is far behind that of many developed nations. The people who reside in developing countries, particularly the urban poor, are seriously affected by the improper waste management system. For solid waste management, conventional technologies include incineration, gasification, and plasma technologies, but none of these could be claimed as an ideal process with economic and environmental sustainability.

Biotechnology and bioengineering interventions can provide much-needed help to the waste management sector to overcome the treatment and management issues of waste. As such, biotechnology is not new to waste management; it has seen previous application in the sewage farms and has helped to conserve small amounts of water resources. The biotechnological potential seems enormous in the area of solid waste management. Phytoremediation is also a revolutionary concept of biotechnology through which plants are used for the removal of contaminants from soil, sludges, and water bodies. Application of biotechnology can indeed surpass many other artificial cleaning technologies.

The technical applicability of biotechnological interventions can also be found in the management of food processing industries' waste. Food processing industries consume a huge quantity of water. An online report published by Greentumble [3] shows that in Germany, Cereol SA has developed an enzyme-based system to remove phospholipids from vegetable oil. The newly developed technology helps to avoid the use of caustic soda, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid. Through this technique, the amount of water was reduced by 92% and the waste produced from sludge was also reduced by 88%.

Plastic waste is one of the most notorious categories of waste in MSW. Plastics are made from petroleum-based fossil fuels and are degradable, but the rate of degradation is extremely slow. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 32 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year, of which 270,000 tons are floating on the surface of the ocean, endangering aquatic life [4]. The solution triggered ...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation: An Introduction
• Chapter 2. Waste Legislation Across the Globe: An Overview
• Chapter 3. Global Status of Waste-to-Energy Technology
• Chapter 4. Waste Treatment Processes/Technologies for Energy Recovery
• Chapter 5. Biofuel Production From Biomass: Toward Sustainable Development
• Chapter 6. Landfill Gas as an Energy Source
• Chapter 7. Case Studies Around the World: Successful Stories and Challenges
• Chapter 8. Application of Geographic Information System in Energy Utilization
• Chapter 9. Promoting Waste-to-Energy: Nexus Thinking, Policy Instruments, and Implications for the Environment
• Chapter 10. The Concept of Energy-Efficient Residential Block Design
• Chapter 11. Energy-Aware Intelligence in Megacities
• Chapter 12. Waste-to-Energy Model/Tool Presentation
• Chapter 13. Aspen Plus Modeling Approach in Solid Waste Gasification
• Chapter 14. Energy From Waste: Future Prospects Toward Sustainable Development
• Chapter 15. Value Creation With Waste to Energy: Economic Considerations
• Chapter 16. Worldwide Business Models-Environmental and Financial Aspects
• Index