Work

Leveraging Potato Chip Industry Residues: Bioenergy Production and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers a sustainable solution by treating biodegradable waste while recovering bioenergy, enhancing the share of renewable energy. Thus, this study aims to investigate the AD for managing and valorizing residues from the potato chip industry: potato peel (PP), potato offcuts (OC), waste cooking oil (WCO), wastewater (WW), and sewage sludge (SS). In particular, the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of each residue, anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of an AD plant are assessed. WW, OC, and SS present a BMP of around 232–280 NmLCH4/kg of volatile solids (VS). PP and WCO reach a BMP slightly lower than the former substrates (174–202 NmLCH4/gVS). AcoD results in methane yields between 150 and 250 NmLCH4/gVS. An up-scaled anaerobic digester is designed to manage 1.60 Mg/d of PP. A residence time of 12 days and a digester with 165 m3 is estimated, yielding 14 Nm3CH4/MgVS/d. A simulated AD plant integrated with a combined heat and power unit results in a carbon footprint of 542 kg of CO2-eq/Mgdb PP, primarily from biogenic GHG emissions. These findings highlight the potential of AD to generate renewable energy from potato industry residues while reducing fossil fuel-related GHG emissions and promoting resource circularity.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17115023

Authors: Patrícia V. Almeida, Luís M. Castro, Anna Klepacz-Smółka, Licínio M. Gando-Ferreira, Margarida J. Quina

Institutions: Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, University of Coimbra, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Lodz University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896