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This work analysed the effects of Biochar (BC) addition to the Anaerobic digestion (AD) of wastewater Mixed sludge (MS) in semi-continuous mode. A 3 L digester was operated at 37 °C for 100 days, feeding MS collected every three weeks in the same wastewater treatment plant, and 10 g L−1 of BC. The average performance of MS digestion (biogas 188 NmL d−1, 68% methane) improved in presence of BC (biogas 244 NmL d−1, 69% methane). According to the results of the multiple linear regression analysis performed on the experimental data, the 79% variation of the soluble COD in the MS was the driving factor for the 38% increase of biogas and methane yields. In conclusion, in the considered experimental conditions, the variability of the substrate’s composition was the key factor driving the performances of the AD of MS, independently of the addition of BC.
Marco Chiappero; Franco Berruti; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of mixed wastewater sludge with biochar addition. Bioresource Technology 2021, 340, 125664 .
AMA StyleMarco Chiappero, Franco Berruti, Ondřej Mašek, Silvia Fiore. Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of mixed wastewater sludge with biochar addition. Bioresource Technology. 2021; 340 ():125664.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Chiappero; Franco Berruti; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. 2021. "Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of mixed wastewater sludge with biochar addition." Bioresource Technology 340, no. : 125664.
In 2018 municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration in Europe produced nearly 19 Mt of bottom ash (BA); only 46 %-wt. was treated, often in poorly performing plants, leaving behind 10 Mt of untreated and unrecovered BA, destined to landfill. This work was based on the inventory of BA across Europe, and on the hypothesis to achieve complete BA valorisation through two assumptions: treating 100% BA and minimizing the loss of valuable fractions due to technical limitations of state-of-the-art processes in comparison to advanced innovative processes. The research involved three phases: characterization of potential secondary raw materials (metals and mineral fraction) currently lost from untreated (the surplus compared to treatment capacity) and unrecovered BA (the fine fraction) through material flow analysis; environmental assessment (energy balance and net GHG emissions) of complete BA valorisation; investigation of the economic feasibility of complete BA valorisation through state-of-the-art technologies. The resulting 2.14 Mt loss of valuable materials included 1 Mt mineral fraction and 0.97 Mt ferrous metals, mostly from untreated BA, and 0.18 Mt non-ferrous metals, mostly from unrecovered BA. The energy balance and GHGs emissions required by the treatment of the currently untreated and unrecovered fractions of BA resulted in energy and GHGs emissions savings. Economic profitability was driven by iron and copper recycling and avoided landfill fees. Profitability was achieved by two thirds of considered countries (average values: NPV 83 M€, ROI 20%, payback time 11 years) with BA mass flow exceeding 0.02 Mt.
Martina Bruno; Marco Abis; Kerstin Kuchta; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Silvia Fiore. Material flow, economic and environmental assessment of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash recycling potential in Europe. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 317, 128511 .
AMA StyleMartina Bruno, Marco Abis, Kerstin Kuchta, Franz-Georg Simon, Raul Grönholm, Michel Hoppe, Silvia Fiore. Material flow, economic and environmental assessment of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash recycling potential in Europe. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 317 ():128511.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartina Bruno; Marco Abis; Kerstin Kuchta; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Silvia Fiore. 2021. "Material flow, economic and environmental assessment of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash recycling potential in Europe." Journal of Cleaner Production 317, no. : 128511.
The main obstacle to bottom ash (BA) being used as a recycling aggregate is the content of salts and potential toxic elements (PTEs), concentrated in a layer that coats BA particles. This work presents a dry treatment for the removal of salts and PTEs from BA particles. Two pilot-scale abrasion units (with/without the removal of the fine particles) were fed with different BA samples. The performance of the abrasion tests was assessed through the analyses of particle size and moisture, and that of the column leaching tests at solid-to-liquid ratios between 0.3 and 4. The results were: the particle-size distribution of the treated materials was homogeneous (25 wt % had dimensions <6.3 mm) and their moisture halved, as well as the electrical conductivity of the leachates. A significant decrease was observed in the leachates of the treated BA for sulphates (44%), chlorides (26%), and PTEs (53% Cr, 60% Cu and 8% Mo). The statistical analysis revealed good correlations between chloride and sulphate concentrations in the leachates with Ba, Cu, Mo, and Sr, illustrating the consistent behavior of the major and minor components of the layer surrounding BA particles. In conclusion, the tested process could be considered as promising for the improvement of BA valorization.
Marco Abis; Martina Bruno; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Kerstin Kuchta; Silvia Fiore. A Novel Dry Treatment for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash for the Reduction of Salts and Potential Toxic Elements. Materials 2021, 14, 3133 .
AMA StyleMarco Abis, Martina Bruno, Franz-Georg Simon, Raul Grönholm, Michel Hoppe, Kerstin Kuchta, Silvia Fiore. A Novel Dry Treatment for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash for the Reduction of Salts and Potential Toxic Elements. Materials. 2021; 14 (11):3133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Abis; Martina Bruno; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Kerstin Kuchta; Silvia Fiore. 2021. "A Novel Dry Treatment for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash for the Reduction of Salts and Potential Toxic Elements." Materials 14, no. 11: 3133.
This work describes the impacts of biochar (BC) addition to the anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste activated sludge (WAS). Three BCs, produced by pyrolysis at 550 °C of different waste biomasses (soft wood, sewage sludge and rice husk), then physically activated at 900 °C with CO2, were investigated as additives. AD tests were performed in batch mode at 37 °C, feeding 2% total solids and 10 g L−1 BC. While none of the considered BCs increased biogas yield compared to control digesters, the activated BCs with higher surface area, porosity and hydrophobicity (RH550a from rice husk and SS550a from sewage sludge) boosted methane yield (up to 105% for RH550a). The experimental methane production were: 0.037 Nm3 kgVS−1 for SWP550a, 0.081 Nm3 kgVS−1 for SS550a, 0.142 Nm3 kgVS−1 for RH550a and 0.069 Nm3 kgVS−1 for control reactors. CO2 adsorption (3.14 mmol g−1 for RH550a, 0.97 mmol g−1 SS550a) calculated from experimental data was consistent with literature (0.4–2.3 mmol g−1 BC). The fitting of experimental methane productions through the modified Gompertz equation showed an acceleration of methane production for all BCs, with a reduction of the lag phase compared to control reactors (0.5 days vs 2.6 days). This work, although confirming literature data about CO2 adsorption, brings new insights on the influence of specific physico-chemical properties of BC as additive in AD of WAS. Surface area, porosity, hydrophobicity and alkali and alkaline metals content in ashes were the most important BC properties affecting AD of activated sewage sludge.
Marco Chiappero; Franco Berruti; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. Analysis of the influence of activated biochar properties on methane production from anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Biomass and Bioenergy 2021, 150, 106129 .
AMA StyleMarco Chiappero, Franco Berruti, Ondřej Mašek, Silvia Fiore. Analysis of the influence of activated biochar properties on methane production from anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2021; 150 ():106129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Chiappero; Franco Berruti; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. 2021. "Analysis of the influence of activated biochar properties on methane production from anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge." Biomass and Bioenergy 150, no. : 106129.
Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) became an important waste stream due to its recycling potential and negative effects on the social, economic and environmental aspects. Currently, the evaluation of WEEE management systems focus on specific parts of their lifecycle (mostly on recycling options), providing information on environmental impacts and/or economic benefits. Therefore, a methodology that would address the entire WEEE lifecycle and the 3 pillars of sustainable development (environmental, economic, social) is necessary. The proposed SUSTWEEE methodology dedicated exclusively to the WEEE stream comprises a 4 level methodology, with indicators to be addressed on background information, WEEE generation, WEEE technical performance and sustainability. The technical performance and sustainability aspects are evaluated on 7 main categories of indicators, both quantitative and qualitative, assessed according to 44 criteria. All the indicators went through a score allocation and a normalization step where a percentage, qualitative score and color coding were assigned, resulting in a WEEE evaluation matrix. In the validation step, the methodology was tested successfully at national level to evaluate the sustainability of WEEE management system in Romania in reference year 2014. The results obtained in this case show a rather mixed performance, with indicators in extreme situations. The main hot spots were the very low collection rates and the non-existent reuse rate, at least in official data, while the other indicators indicated at least medium performances. The best performances are in the area of WEEE collected that undergoes suitable treatment, the existence of WEEE facilities in Romania capable to perform the treatment, high recycling rate and the overall environmental performance indicator.
Daniela Gavrilescu; Anișoara Enache; Dumitrița Ibănescu; Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore. Sustainability assessment of waste electric and electronic equipment management systems: Development and validation of the SUSTWEEE methodology. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 306, 127214 .
AMA StyleDaniela Gavrilescu, Anișoara Enache, Dumitrița Ibănescu, Carmen Teodosiu, Silvia Fiore. Sustainability assessment of waste electric and electronic equipment management systems: Development and validation of the SUSTWEEE methodology. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 306 ():127214.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Gavrilescu; Anișoara Enache; Dumitrița Ibănescu; Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore. 2021. "Sustainability assessment of waste electric and electronic equipment management systems: Development and validation of the SUSTWEEE methodology." Journal of Cleaner Production 306, no. : 127214.
In 2018, the production of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in EU-28 reached 250.6 Mt, with the adoption of different management strategies, involving recycling (48 wt %), incineration and thermal valorization (29 wt %) and landfilling (23 wt %). This work was based on the analysis of the baseline situation of MSW management in EU-28 in 2018, considering its progress in 2008–2018, and discussed the possible improvement perspectives based on a framework involving incineration and recycling as the only possible alternatives, specifically evaluating the capability of already-existing incineration plants to fulfill the EU needs in the proposed framework. The results of the assessment showed two main crucial issues that could play a pivotal role in the achievement of Circular Economy action plan targets: the need to increase the recycling quotas for specific MSW fractions through the separate collection, and therefore the improvement of definite treatment process chains; the optimization of the recovery of secondary raw materials from incineration bottom ash, involving the recycling of ferrous and nonferrous metals and the mineral fraction. Both issues need to find an extensive application across all member states to decrease the actual differences in the adoption of sustainable MSW management options.
Marco Abis; Martina Bruno; Kerstin Kuchta; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Silvia Fiore. Assessment of the Synergy between Recycling and Thermal Treatments in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Europe. Energies 2020, 13, 6412 .
AMA StyleMarco Abis, Martina Bruno, Kerstin Kuchta, Franz-Georg Simon, Raul Grönholm, Michel Hoppe, Silvia Fiore. Assessment of the Synergy between Recycling and Thermal Treatments in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Europe. Energies. 2020; 13 (23):6412.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Abis; Martina Bruno; Kerstin Kuchta; Franz-Georg Simon; Raul Grönholm; Michel Hoppe; Silvia Fiore. 2020. "Assessment of the Synergy between Recycling and Thermal Treatments in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Europe." Energies 13, no. 23: 6412.
Wine lees have a great potential to obtain clean energy in the form of biogas through anaerobic digestion due to their high organic load. However, wine lees are a complex substrate and may likely give rise to instabilities leading to failure of the biological process. This work analysed the digestion of wine lees using two different approaches. First, electro-oxidation was applied as pre-treatment using boron-doped diamond-based electrodes. The voltage was 25 V and different treatment times were tested (ranging from 0.08 to 1.5 h) at 25 °C. Anaerobic digestion of wine lees was evaluated in batch tests to investigate the effect of electro-oxidation on biogas yield. Electro-oxidation exhibited a significant positive effect on biogas production increasing its value up to 330 L kg−1 of volatile solids after 1.5 h of treatment, compared to 180 L kg−1 of volatile solids measured from raw wine lees. As a second approach, the addition of biochar to the anaerobic digestion of wine lees was investigated; in the experimental conditions considered in the present study, the addition of biochar did not show any positive effect on anaerobic digestion performance.
Cristian Bernabé Arenas Sevillano; Marco Chiappero; Xiomar Gomez; Silvia Fiore; E. Judith Martínez. Improving the Anaerobic Digestion of Wine-Industry Liquid Wastes: Treatment by Electro-Oxidation and Use of Biochar as an Additive. Energies 2020, 13, 5971 .
AMA StyleCristian Bernabé Arenas Sevillano, Marco Chiappero, Xiomar Gomez, Silvia Fiore, E. Judith Martínez. Improving the Anaerobic Digestion of Wine-Industry Liquid Wastes: Treatment by Electro-Oxidation and Use of Biochar as an Additive. Energies. 2020; 13 (22):5971.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristian Bernabé Arenas Sevillano; Marco Chiappero; Xiomar Gomez; Silvia Fiore; E. Judith Martínez. 2020. "Improving the Anaerobic Digestion of Wine-Industry Liquid Wastes: Treatment by Electro-Oxidation and Use of Biochar as an Additive." Energies 13, no. 22: 5971.
This study presents a sequential three-steps methodology for the technical, economic and environmental assessment (TEEA) of bioethanol production from waste biomass. In EU the most abundant waste biomasses produced in 2018 could be ascribed to three main categories: lignocellulosic (329.41 Mt), starch (160 Mt) and sugar-based (58.56 Mt). The technical assessment compiled an inventory of the waste biomasses and subsequently designed their biological conversion into ethanol through integrated biorefinery processes by means of material flow analysis (MFA); the economic assessment was aimed at the definition of the cut-off size of the biorefinery plant necessary to achieve profitability; the environmental assessment was based on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and energy balance (i.e. energy input consumption). For each of the three waste biomass categories, at least one that was significant as available amount and representative in terms of physico-chemical characteristics, was evaluated: sugarcane for sugar-based, potatoes for starch-based and rice straw, cattle manure and organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) for lignocellulosic biomasses. The technical assessment of the biorefinery routes lead to the following yields (kg of bioethanol per kg of biomass): 0.16, 0.17, 0.22, 0.19 and 0.14 respectively. The economic profitability was reached by all biorefineries and Net Present Value (M€) were: 0.85 for sugarcane, 0.11 for potatoes, 0.09 for rice straw, 0.11 for cattle manure and 0.39 for OFMSW. From the environmental perspective, cattle manure reached the highest reduction of climate change and acidification impacts compared to other biomasses, while sugarcane achieved the lowest energy input consumption (around 64 %).
Francesca Demichelis; Maddalena Laghezza; Marco Chiappero; Silvia Fiore. Technical, economic and environmental assessement of bioethanol biorefinery from waste biomass. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 277, 124111 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Demichelis, Maddalena Laghezza, Marco Chiappero, Silvia Fiore. Technical, economic and environmental assessement of bioethanol biorefinery from waste biomass. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 277 ():124111.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Demichelis; Maddalena Laghezza; Marco Chiappero; Silvia Fiore. 2020. "Technical, economic and environmental assessement of bioethanol biorefinery from waste biomass." Journal of Cleaner Production 277, no. : 124111.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) could be considered as a mature technology and nowadays it can still play a pivot role because of the urgent need to provide renewable energy sources and efficiently manage the continuously growing amount of organic waste. Biochar (BC) is an extremely versatile material, which could be produced by carbonization of organic materials, including biomass and wastes, consistently with Circular Economy principles, and “tailor-made” for specific applications. The potential BC role as additive in the control of the many well-known critical issues of AD processes has been increasingly explored over the past few years. However, a clear and comprehensive understanding of the connections between BC and AD is still missing. This review paper analyses and discusses significant references (review articles, research papers and international databases and reports), mostly published in the last 10 years. This review is aimed at addressing three key issues related to the better understanding of the BC role in AD processes: 1. Investigation of the influence of BC properties on AD performances and of their ability to counteract its main challenges; 2. Assessment of the optimal BC production chain (i.e. feedstock-pyrolysis-activation) to achieve the desired features; 3. Evaluation of the economic and environmental advantages connected to BC use in AD processes, compared to conventional solutions applied to address AD challenges.
Marco Chiappero; Omid Norouzi; Mingyu Hu; Francesca Demichelis; Franco Berruti; Francesco Di Maria; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. Review of biochar role as additive in anaerobic digestion processes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2020, 131, 110037 .
AMA StyleMarco Chiappero, Omid Norouzi, Mingyu Hu, Francesca Demichelis, Franco Berruti, Francesco Di Maria, Ondřej Mašek, Silvia Fiore. Review of biochar role as additive in anaerobic digestion processes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2020; 131 ():110037.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Chiappero; Omid Norouzi; Mingyu Hu; Francesca Demichelis; Franco Berruti; Francesco Di Maria; Ondřej Mašek; Silvia Fiore. 2020. "Review of biochar role as additive in anaerobic digestion processes." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 131, no. : 110037.
The occurrence of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is related both to drinking water treatment (DWT) processes and to raw water’s characteristics. Emerging pollutants typically occur in low concentrations and are not removed by conventional DWT processes. Emerging DBPs appear within the DWT or in the distribution system due to the combination of disinfection agents (especially chlorine) with precursors as: natural organic matter (NOM), algal organic matter (AOM), anthropogenic contaminants (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, detergents etc.), brominated and iodinated compounds. This study has as main goal a consistent analysis of the major problems caused by emerging DBPs to drinking water supplies. It presents a comprehensive review of the research efforts related to emerging DBPs considering three viewpoints: 1. an overview of their classification, legislative framework, methods of analysis, disinfection operational conditions and removal processes; 2. their occurrence, fate, health effects and impacts; 3. the analysis of the advanced DWT processes that might be used for the removal and control of precursors and DBPs, with a focus on pilot and full-scale installations. All presented case studies considered pollutants removed, process conditions and efficiencies, and a critical assessment of processes based on membranes, advanced oxidation and adsorption on activated carbon or other materials. The main challenges of the control and removal of emerging DBPs are their low concentrations and the technical and economic sustainability of their application at full-scale, which need to be carefully adapted to local boundary conditions.
Andreea Florina Gilca; Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore; Corina Petronela Musteret. Emerging disinfection byproducts: A review on their occurrence and control in drinking water treatment processes. Chemosphere 2020, 259, 127476 .
AMA StyleAndreea Florina Gilca, Carmen Teodosiu, Silvia Fiore, Corina Petronela Musteret. Emerging disinfection byproducts: A review on their occurrence and control in drinking water treatment processes. Chemosphere. 2020; 259 ():127476.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreea Florina Gilca; Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore; Corina Petronela Musteret. 2020. "Emerging disinfection byproducts: A review on their occurrence and control in drinking water treatment processes." Chemosphere 259, no. : 127476.
This work has two aims. Firstly, to validate the ability of experimental models derived through near infrared spectroscopy for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP) in predicting polymers’ aging; focusing on the degree of oxidation. Secondly, to assess the reliability of non-invasive age-predictive models on waste plastic samples and on mechanically recycled samples. Aging time, temperature and number of extrusion cycles were selected as independent variables to build the aging-prediction models, where they were calibrated on samples subjected to controlled conditions. The accuracy of the prediction models was assessed on external samples (aged under known conditions) through the cross correlation technique and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The models exhibited good collinearity for the aging temperature and the number of extrusion cycles factors for all tested polymers, but not for the aging time factor. The RSME value of the aging time factor was far from zero for all polymers. Plastic waste samples provided analogous results; the aging time estimation was mostly negative in value. The estimations of aging time and number of extrusion cycles were always positive in values, where the most reasonable aging factor estimation was the number of extrusion cycles.
Ayah Alassali; Caterina Picuno; Tom Bébien; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. Validation of near infrared spectroscopy as an age-prediction method for plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2019, 154, 104555 .
AMA StyleAyah Alassali, Caterina Picuno, Tom Bébien, Silvia Fiore, Kerstin Kuchta. Validation of near infrared spectroscopy as an age-prediction method for plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2019; 154 ():104555.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAyah Alassali; Caterina Picuno; Tom Bébien; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. 2019. "Validation of near infrared spectroscopy as an age-prediction method for plastics." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 154, no. : 104555.
Recognizing greywater as a relevant secondary source of water and nutrients represents an important chance for the sustainable management of water resource. In the last two decades, many studies analysed the environmental, economic, and energetic benefits of the reuse of greywater treated by nature-based solutions (NBS). This work reviews existing case studies of traditional constructed wetlands and new integrated technologies (e.g., green roofs and green walls) for greywater treatment and reuse, with a specific focus on their treatment performance as a function of hydraulic operating parameters. The aim of this work is to understand if the application of NBS can represent a valid alternative to conventional treatment technologies, providing quantitative indications for their design. Specifically, indications concerning threshold values of hydraulic design parameters to guarantee high removal performance are suggested. Finally, the existing literature on life cycle analysis of NBS for greywater treatment has been examined, confirming the provided environmental benefits.
Fulvio Boano; Alice Caruso; Elisa Costamagna; Luca Ridolfi; Silvia Fiore; Francesca Demichelis; Ana Galvão; Joana Pisoeiro; Anacleto Rizzo; Fabio Masi. A review of nature-based solutions for greywater treatment: Applications, hydraulic design, and environmental benefits. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 711, 134731 .
AMA StyleFulvio Boano, Alice Caruso, Elisa Costamagna, Luca Ridolfi, Silvia Fiore, Francesca Demichelis, Ana Galvão, Joana Pisoeiro, Anacleto Rizzo, Fabio Masi. A review of nature-based solutions for greywater treatment: Applications, hydraulic design, and environmental benefits. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 711 ():134731.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFulvio Boano; Alice Caruso; Elisa Costamagna; Luca Ridolfi; Silvia Fiore; Francesca Demichelis; Ana Galvão; Joana Pisoeiro; Anacleto Rizzo; Fabio Masi. 2019. "A review of nature-based solutions for greywater treatment: Applications, hydraulic design, and environmental benefits." Science of The Total Environment 711, no. : 134731.
Non-sterile lactic acid (LA) fermentation of highly viscous food waste was demonstrated in batch and continuous flow fermentations. With Streptococcus sp., an indigenous consortium, and/or applied glucoamylase, food waste was fermented without addition of external carbon or nitrogen sources. Experimental results were used for economic and energy evaluations under consideration of different catchment area sizes from 50,000 to 1,000,000 inhabitants. During batch mode, addition of glucoamylase resulted in a titer (after 24 h), yield, and productivity of 50 g L-1, 63%, and 2.93 g L-1h-1, respectively. While titer and yield were enhanced, productivity was lower during continuous operation and 69 g L-1, 86%, and 1.27 g L-1h-1 were obtained at a dilution rate of 0.44 d-1 when glucoamylase was added. Both batch and continuous flow fermentations were found economically profitable with food waste from 200,000 or more inhabitants.
Jan Christoph Peinemann; Francesca Demichelis; Silvia Fiore; Daniel Pleissner. Techno-economic assessment of non-sterile batch and continuous production of lactic acid from food waste. Bioresource Technology 2019, 289, 121631 .
AMA StyleJan Christoph Peinemann, Francesca Demichelis, Silvia Fiore, Daniel Pleissner. Techno-economic assessment of non-sterile batch and continuous production of lactic acid from food waste. Bioresource Technology. 2019; 289 ():121631.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJan Christoph Peinemann; Francesca Demichelis; Silvia Fiore; Daniel Pleissner. 2019. "Techno-economic assessment of non-sterile batch and continuous production of lactic acid from food waste." Bioresource Technology 289, no. : 121631.
This work analyzed the feasibility of pre-treatments to improve the anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste activated sludge (WAS) at 20 °C. We investigated different physicochemical pre-treatments (thermal at 115 °C, thermo-alkaline at pH 10 and 70 °C and ozonation at 190 mg-O3 L-1) by comparing their performances about COD solubilization and sludge disintegration rate. Best performances were obtained by thermo-alkaline pre-treatment, followed by thermal and ozonation; results were consistent with literature. Pre-treated WAS was fed to 12 1-L anaerobic digesters operated in semi-continuous mode. Thermal and thermo-alkaline reactors produced biogas yields (0.30-0.36 m3 kg-1 VS in standard conditions, 65-70 % methane) analogous to mesophilic conditions. The economic assessment of the scale-up of the whole process demonstrated that thermo-alkaline pre-treatment made AD at 20 °C economically profitable for WAS generated by a 20,000 PE WWTP.
Marco Chiappero; Francesca Demichelis; Xuan Lin; Chenxiao Liu; Dominic Frigon; Silvia Fiore. Investigation of pre-treatments improving low-temperature anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2019, 131, 28 -37.
AMA StyleMarco Chiappero, Francesca Demichelis, Xuan Lin, Chenxiao Liu, Dominic Frigon, Silvia Fiore. Investigation of pre-treatments improving low-temperature anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2019; 131 ():28-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Chiappero; Francesca Demichelis; Xuan Lin; Chenxiao Liu; Dominic Frigon; Silvia Fiore. 2019. "Investigation of pre-treatments improving low-temperature anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge." Process Safety and Environmental Protection 131, no. : 28-37.
The aim of this work is the development of a methodology for the technical and environmental assessment of biowaste valorization in 2G biorefineries. Italy was chosen as case study, considering years 2016–2017. Approach: the Italian context was evaluated through the following key parameters: Gross domestic power, climate, demography, and population density distribution described the Italian framework. The four most abundant biowaste categories were defined through their amounts and geo-localization: wastewater and sewage sludge (WSS, 4.06 Mt/y), organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW, 1.7 Mt/y), agricultural livestock waste (ALW, 5.7 Mt/y), and waste deriving from the food industry (FIW, 2.6 Mt/y). The geo-localization and quantitative evaluations of the available biowaste amounts were aimed at defining the dimension and localization of the biorefinery plant and at optimizing supply and transport chains, while the qualitative characteristic were aimed to evaluate the most promising process among thermo-valorization (TH) and anaerobic digestion (AD). Results: All considered biowastes were appropriate for biorefinery processes, since carbon content exceeds 40% and the carbon–nitrogen ratio was between 10 and 30. All biowaste categories were evaluated as feedstocks for two biorefinery processes: anaerobic digestion (AD) and thermo-valorization (TH) with energy recovery. Compared to TH, AD achieved in all cases the best performances in terms of produced energy and avoided CO2 emissions. The primary energy production of AD and TH for WSS, OFMSW, ALW, and FIW were respectively: 7.89 vs. 2.4 kWh/kg; 8.7 vs. 2.6 kWh/kg; 10.85 vs. 5.5 kWh/kg; and 12.5 vs. 7.8 kWh/kg. The main findings of this work were: the adoption of AD was technically more suitable than TH; AD increased the avoided CO2 emissions of 10%–89.9% depending on biowaste category.
Francesca Demichelis; Francesco Piovano; Silvia Fiore. Biowaste Management in Italy: Challenges and Perspectives. Sustainability 2019, 11, 4213 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Demichelis, Francesco Piovano, Silvia Fiore. Biowaste Management in Italy: Challenges and Perspectives. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (15):4213.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Demichelis; Francesco Piovano; Silvia Fiore. 2019. "Biowaste Management in Italy: Challenges and Perspectives." Sustainability 11, no. 15: 4213.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) are essential infrastructures in any urban context, but they may be considered as a potential source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and should be coherent with European Union (EU) policy on energy efficiency. This study presents a sustainability evaluation of four Italian and Romanian MWWTPs in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions using Energy Performance and Carbon Emissions Assessment and Monitoring (ECAM) tool software. The obtained results indicated that biogas recovery improved energy performances, while the largest contributions in terms of GHG emissions were in all cases caused by energy consumption and methane produced during wastewater treatment. The Romanian plants exhibited higher GHG emissions, compared to the Italian plants, mainly because of the different values of national conversion factors for grid electricity (0.41 kg CO2/kWh for Italy and 1.07 kg CO2/kWh for Romania). Two scenarios aimed at enhancing the overall sustainability were hypothesized, based on increasing the serviced population or energy efficiency, achieving significant improvements. A sustainability assessment of MWWTPs should be adopted as a useful tool to help water utilities to introduce low-energy, low-carbon management practices as well as being useful for policy recommendations.
Daniela Fighir (Arsene); Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore. Environmental and Energy Assessment of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Italy and Romania: A Comparative Study. Water 2019, 11, 1611 .
AMA StyleDaniela Fighir (Arsene), Carmen Teodosiu, Silvia Fiore. Environmental and Energy Assessment of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Italy and Romania: A Comparative Study. Water. 2019; 11 (8):1611.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Fighir (Arsene); Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore. 2019. "Environmental and Energy Assessment of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Italy and Romania: A Comparative Study." Water 11, no. 8: 1611.
In this study antimony concentration was analyzed in 30 plastic items (from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and e-waste) directly by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) spectroscopy. PET samples were digested in a microwave oven with aqua regia. The plastic components deriving from e-waste followed three parallel routes: 1. microwave digestion using different acids (aqua regia, 18 M H2SO4, 12 M HCl and 6 M HCl); 2. conversion into ash (at 600 °C) and then microwave digestion with aqua regia, and 3. extraction with 12 M HCl at room temperature for different durations (2 h and 24 h). Results showed that antimony extraction yields from PET were between 57% and 92%. Antimony extraction from e-waste plastics was more challenging: aqua regia was inefficient for poly (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) samples (extraction yield was about 20% only), while on a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate (PC), aqua regia, H2SO4 and HCl exhibited equivalent performances (~21%). Ashed samples returned yields ranging from 20% to over 50%. Room temperature extraction on e-waste plastics obtained lower extraction efficiencies, yet longer incubation durations lead to higher yields. In conclusion, the main challenge associated with antimony mining from plastic waste could be its heterogeneous composition; therefore, the development of reference analytical procedures is highly needed.
Ayah Alassali; Caterina Picuno; Hanin Samara; Sascha Diedler; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. Antimony Mining from PET Bottles and E-Waste Plastic Fractions. Sustainability 2019, 11, 4021 .
AMA StyleAyah Alassali, Caterina Picuno, Hanin Samara, Sascha Diedler, Silvia Fiore, Kerstin Kuchta. Antimony Mining from PET Bottles and E-Waste Plastic Fractions. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (15):4021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAyah Alassali; Caterina Picuno; Hanin Samara; Sascha Diedler; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. 2019. "Antimony Mining from PET Bottles and E-Waste Plastic Fractions." Sustainability 11, no. 15: 4021.
The aim of this research is a preliminary assessment of antimony concentration in plastic fractions deriving from different e-waste. We considered microwave ovens, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, a TV case, a PC monitor and LED lamps (63 items in total). The plastic fraction ranged from 8%-wt in computers and microwave ovens, up to 40%-wt in cell phones and 59%-wt in LED lamps. Specific polymers were identified through Near Infrared spectroscopy. The samples followed three parallel procedures: acid digestion with aqua regia; conversion into ashes at 600 °C then acid digestion with aqua regia; leaching according to UNI10802 reference procedure. Plastic components with significant amounts of antimony were the ones derived from desktop computers (25–1900 mg/kg) and from microwave ovens (830 mg/kg), yet their relative amount compared to the total weight of the item was limited. Items with larger plastic fractions showed lower concentrations of antimony (1–6 mg/kg in mobile phones cases and 160–640 mg/kg in plastic components of LED lamps). Leaching tests revealed that the analyzed plastic fractions could be mostly admitted in non-hazardous waste landfills. The analysis of ashed samples highlighted the need to further improve the acidic extraction procedure.
Ayah Alassali; Marco Abis; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. Classification of plastic waste originated from waste electric and electronic equipment based on the concentration of antimony. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2019, 380, 120874 .
AMA StyleAyah Alassali, Marco Abis, Silvia Fiore, Kerstin Kuchta. Classification of plastic waste originated from waste electric and electronic equipment based on the concentration of antimony. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2019; 380 ():120874.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAyah Alassali; Marco Abis; Silvia Fiore; Kerstin Kuchta. 2019. "Classification of plastic waste originated from waste electric and electronic equipment based on the concentration of antimony." Journal of Hazardous Materials 380, no. : 120874.
Carmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore; George Barjoveanu; Andreea-Florina Gilca; Ioana Roman. ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT: A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 2019, 18, 513 -522.
AMA StyleCarmen Teodosiu, Silvia Fiore, George Barjoveanu, Andreea-Florina Gilca, Ioana Roman. ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT: A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. 2019; 18 (2):513-522.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Teodosiu; Silvia Fiore; George Barjoveanu; Andreea-Florina Gilca; Ioana Roman. 2019. "ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT: A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE." Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 18, no. 2: 513-522.
This work has as main objective the analysis of waste from electric and electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste) management through material flow analysis and life cycle assessment of a full-scale Italian facility that is significant about the e-waste flows treated (9900 t/y) and representative of a developed EU country about the industrial process outline, based on manual dismantling phases and physic-mechanical automatic processes. Three WEEE categories (i.e. R1-Cooling equipment, R2-Large household appliances and R3- TVs and screens) have been chosen with the reason that they are the most abundant in EU. The methodology was based on two end-of-life scenarios: S0-partial recycling of valuable fractions and landfilling of the rest, which is conventional e-waste processing in Italian facilities; S1-complete recycling of valuable fractions, limited incineration and landfilling of the rest, which describes what happens in the considered case study. Mass balance of the three treatment lines showed recycling rate (RR) values equal to: for R1 40% for S0 and 80% for S1; for R2 65% for S0 and 99% for S1; for R3 86% for S0 and 91% for S1, with significant fractions incinerated or landfilled only for R1 treatment line. Life cycle assessment considered transport (post-consumer collection), treatment, recycling, incineration and disposal. As main results, eco-toxicity aquatic potentials referring to marine and fresh water were the most relevant impact categories. In conclusion, recycling (mostly of metals) played a crucial role for environmental benefits, and transport and polyurethane plus rubber incineration for the environmental impacts.
Silvia Fiore; Dumitrita Ibanescu; Carmen Teodosiu; Alessandro Ronco. Improving waste electric and electronic equipment management at full-scale by using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 659, 928 -939.
AMA StyleSilvia Fiore, Dumitrita Ibanescu, Carmen Teodosiu, Alessandro Ronco. Improving waste electric and electronic equipment management at full-scale by using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 659 ():928-939.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Fiore; Dumitrita Ibanescu; Carmen Teodosiu; Alessandro Ronco. 2018. "Improving waste electric and electronic equipment management at full-scale by using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment." Science of The Total Environment 659, no. : 928-939.