Environmental Science & Technology · 2018 · 136 citations · 91 references
EngineeringChemical EngineeringEnvironmental EngineeringBiochemical EngineeringBioprocess EngineeringWastewater TreatmentAnaerobic DigestionOrganic Waste RecoveryResource Recovery From WastewaterWaste GenerationWaste Valorization By FermentationWastewater Resource RecoveryChemical Oxygen DemandHydrolysisOrganic Waste ConversionSewage Sludge BioconversionSewage Sludge ValorizationThermal HydrolysisThermal Hydrolysis Of SludgeWastewater Sludge Valorization
. Upgrading VFA generated by the EU-28 would allow, in 60% of the simulations, for a yearly production of 0.2-2.0 megatonnes of esters, 0.7-1.4 megatonnes of polyhydroxyalkanoates or 0.6-2.2 megatonnes of microbial protein substituting, respectively, 20-273%, 70-140% or 21-72% of their global counterparts (i.e., petrochemical-based esters, bioplastics or fishmeal). From these flows, we conclude that sewage has a strong potential as biorefinery feedstock, although research is needed to enhance capture, fermentation and upgrading efficiencies. These developments need to be supported by economic/environmental analyses and policies that incentivize a more sustainable management of our resources.
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