Sustainable Bioenergy Production


Book Description

Given the environmental concerns and declining availability of fossil fuels, as well as the growing population worldwide, it is essential to move toward a sustainable bioenergy-based economy. However, it is also imperative to address sustainability in the bioenergy industry in order to avoid depleting necessary biomass resources. Sustainable Bioene




Solar Energy Update


Book Description




The Microbiology of Anaerobic Digesters


Book Description

Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical degradation process that converts complex organic material, such as animal manure, into methane and other byproducts. Part of the author's Wastewater Microbiology series, Microbiology of Anareboic Digesters eschews technical jargon to deliver a practical, how-to guide for wastewater plant operators.







Current Advances in Anaerobic Digestion Technology


Book Description

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the oldest biotechnological processes and originally referred to biomass degradation under anoxic conditions in both natural and engineered systems. It has been used for decades to treat various waste streams and to produce methane-rich biogas as an important energy carrier, and it has become a major player in electrical power production. AD is a popular, mature technology, and our knowledge about the influencing process parameters as well as about the diverse microbial communities involved in the process has increased dramatically over the last few decades. To avoid competition with food and feed production, the AD feedstock spectrum has constantly been extended to waste products either rich in recalcitrant lignocellulose or containing inhibitory substances such as ammonia, which requires application of various pre-treatments or specific management of the microbial resources. Extending the definition of AD, it can also convert gases rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane that can substitute natural gas, which opens new opportunities by a direct link to traditional petrochemistry. Furthermore, AD can be coupled with emerging biotechnological applications, such as microbial electrochemical technologies or the production of medium-chain fatty acids by anaerobic fermentation. Ultimately, because of the wide range of applications, AD is still a very vital field in science. This Special Issue highlights some key topics of this research field.




Biogas Processes for Sustainable Development


Book Description

Intended to assist engineers, government officials and funding agencies to meet present and future challenges and make decisions on the promotion of anaerobic digestion as an alternative source of energy.




Biomethanization of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes


Book Description

Biomethanization of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes is a comprehensive introduction to both the fundamentals and the more practical aspects of the anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes, particularly those derived from households, that is, the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW). It can be used as a textbook for specialized courses and also as a guide for practitioners. In the first part, the book covers the relevant aspects of anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic wastes. The fundamentals and kinetic aspects of AD are reviewed with particular emphasis on the aspects related to solid wastes. This introduction is necessary to have a comprehensive view of the AD process and to understand the practical principles as well as the origin of possible problems arising from the management of the process. Chapter 2 emphasizes the role of kinetics in designing the reactor, paying special attention to existing models, particularly the dynamic ones. Through this introduction, it is intended to facilitate the technology transfer from laboratory or pilot plant experiences to full-scale process, in order to implement improvements in current digesters. Laboratory methods are described for the analysis and optimization of reactor performance, such as methanogenic activity tests or experimental evaluation of the biodegradation kinetics of solid organic waste. The different reaction patterns applied to industrial reactors are outlined. Industrial reactors are classified in accordance with the system they use, pointing out advantages and limitations. Co-digestion, enabling the co-treatment of organic wastes of different origin in a more economically feasible way, is described in detail. Examples of co-digestion are given, with OFMSW as a base-substrate. Finally, full-scale co-digestion plants are discussed. Various types (mechanical, biological, physico-chemical) of pre-treatment to increase the biodegradability, and thus the yields of the process, are reviewed in detail. The use of the fermentation products of anaerobic digesters for biological nutrient removal processes in wastewater treatment plants is described. This constitutes an example of integrated waste management, a field in which both economic and technical advances can be achieved. Balances are given to justify the approach, and a full-scale case study is presented. The important topic of economics and the ecological advantages of the process are emphasized. The use of compost, the integration with composting technology, and advantages over other technologies are detailed in the framework of an environmental impact assessment of biowaste treatment. Finally, the anaerobic digestion of MSW in landfills is reviewed in detail, with emphasis on landfill process enhancement and strategies for its application.




Sustainable Rice Straw Management


Book Description

This open access book on straw management aims to provide a wide array of options for rice straw management that are potentially more sustainable, environmental, and profitable compared to current practice. The book is authored by expert researchers, engineers and innovators working on a range of straw management options with case studies from Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia. The book is written for engineers and researchers in order to provide them information on current good practice and the gaps and constraints that require further research and innovation. The book is also aimed at extension workers and farmers to help them decide on the best alternative straw management options in their area by presenting both the technological options as well as the value chains and business models required to make them work. The book will also be useful for policy makers, required by public opinion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, looking for research-based evidence to guide the policies they develop and implement.




Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources


Book Description

Written as a practical introduction to biogas plant design and operation, this book fills a huge gap by presenting a systematic guide to this emerging technology -- information otherwise only available in poorly intelligible reports by US governmental and other official agencies. The author draws on teaching material from a university course as well as a wide variety of industrial biogas projects he has been involved with, thus combining didactical skill with real-life examples. Alongside biological and technical aspects of biogas generation, this timely work also looks at safety and legal aspects as well as environmental considerations.




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