Valorization of biowastes for clean energy production, environmental depollution and soil fertility

Rajesh K Srivastava; Nagaraj P Shetti; Kakarla Raghava Reddy; Mallikarjuna N Nadagouda; Michael Badawi; Adrián Bonilla-Petriciolet; Tejraj M Aminabhavi

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117410

Valorization of biowastes for clean energy production, environmental depollution and soil fertility

J Environ Manage. 2023 Apr 15:332:117410. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117410. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Authors

Rajesh K Srivastava¹, Nagaraj P Shetti², Kakarla Raghava Reddy³, Mallikarjuna N Nadagouda⁴, Michael Badawi⁵, Adrián Bonilla-Petriciolet⁶, Tejraj M Aminabhavi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biotechnology, GIT, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) (Deemed to Be University), Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.
² Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Vidyanagar, Hubballi, 580 031, Karnataka, India; University Center for Research & Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, Panjab, India.
³ School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
⁴ Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45324, USA.
⁵ Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques, UMR 7019 - CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
⁶ Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Tecnológico de Aguascalientes, 20256, Aguascalientes, Mexico. Electronic address: petriciolet@hotmail.com.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Vidyanagar, Hubballi, 580 031, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: aminabhavit@gmail.com.

PMID: 36731419
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117410

Abstract

The mother earth is a source of natural resources that, in conjunction with anthropogenic activities, generates a wide spectrum of different biowastes. These biomaterials can be used as low-cost raw feedstock to produce bioenergy, value-added products, and other commodities. However, the improper management and disposal of these biowastes can generate relevant environmental impacts. Consequently, it is imperative to explore alternative technologies for the valorization and exploitation of these wastes to obtain benefits for the society. This review covers different aspects related to valorization of biowastes and their applications in water pollution, soil fertility and green energy generation. The classification and characteristics of different biowastes (biosolids, animal wastes and effluents, plant biomass, wood and green wastes) including their main generation sources are discussed. Different technologies (e.g., pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, anaerobic digestion, gasification, biodrying) for the transformation and valorization of these residues are also analyzed. The application of biowastes in soil fertility, environmental pollution and energy production are described and illustrative examples are provided. Finally, the challenges related to implement low-cost and sustainable biowaste management strategies are highlighted. It was concluded that reliable simulation studies are required to optimize all the logistic stages of management chain of these residues considering the constraints generated from the economic, environmental and social aspects of the biowaste generation sources and their locations. The recollection and sorting of biowastes are key parameters to minimize the costs associated to their management and valorization. Also, the concepts of Industry 4.0 can contribute to achieve a successful commercial production of the value-added products obtained from the biowaste valorization. Overall, this review provides a general outlook of biowaste management and its valorization in the current context of circular economy.

Keywords: Animal wastes; Biomass; Biosolids; Green wastes; Soil amendment; Waste management.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Soil* / chemistry
Technology*

Substances

Soil