Enhancing biomethane production by biochar addition during anaerobic digestion is economically unprofitable

[EN] The societal demand for biomethane production by anaerobic digestion of waste and biomass is rapidly growing to build a circular economy, yet actual efficiency is limited. Biochar addition has been technically shown to enhance methane yields in general, but economics are unknown so far. Here, w...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: González Arias, Judith, Martínez Torres, Elia Judith, Gómez Barrios, Xiomar Arleth, Sánchez Morán, Marta Elena, Cara Jiménez, Jorge
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de León
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/23759
Acceso en línea:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-021-01368-8
https://hdl.handle.net/10612/23759
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Energía
Ingeniería química
Biomethane production 
Biogas upgrading 
Green energy
Biochar
Waste valorization
Anaerobic digestion
3322.05 Fuentes no Convencionales de Energía
3303 Ingeniería y Tecnología Químicas
3308.07 Eliminación de Residuos
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] The societal demand for biomethane production by anaerobic digestion of waste and biomass is rapidly growing to build a circular economy, yet actual efficiency is limited. Biochar addition has been technically shown to enhance methane yields in general, but economics are unknown so far. Here, we evaluated the profitability of adding biochar into orange peel waste using the method of the discounted cash flow. We also studied biochar prices and incentives for biomethane production. Results indicate that adding biochar decreases 17 times the overall economy of the process. This decline is explained by high current prices of biochar. To reach profitability, subsidies should be higher than 20 Eur per MWh of biomethane