Valorization of apple pomace for biogas production: a leading anaerobic biorefinery approach for a circular bioeconomy

Author(s)

Ampese, Larissa Castro ; Sganzerla, William Gustavo ; Ziero, Henrique Di Domenico ; Costa, Josiel Martins ; Martins, Gilberto ; Forster-Carneiro, Tania

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY; v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2022-11-14.

Abstract

Apples are among the most consumed fruits worldwide, being consumed as fresh fruit or either processed into juice, vinegar, cider, and others. The by-products generated by apple processing industry are usually discarded without further application. This study addressed the valorization of apple pomace using dry anaerobic digestion technology in semi-continuous mode. The operational parameters, volatile fatty acids, microbial community, and biogas production were evaluated during 40 days of digestion. The potential for bioenergy production, avoided greenhouse gas emissions, and the energy balance were calculated to determine the possibilities for implementing an anaerobic biorefinery in the apple processing industry. The results showed a microbial community of the reactor composed of bacteria (97.5%) and Archaea (2.5%), where Amphibacillus was the dominant genus. The methane yield obtained was 36.61 L CH4 kg(-1)TVS(removed), which can generate 1.92 kWh ton(-1) of electricity and 8.63 MJ ton(-1) of heat, avoiding 0.62 kg CO2-eq ton(-1) apple pomace submitted to anaerobic digestion. The bioenergy recovered could supply 19.18% electricity and 11.15% heat of the anaerobic reactor used in the designed anaerobic biorefinery process. In conclusion, anaerobic digestion can be a promising approach for the management of apple pomace, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the circular economy transition of the apple processing industry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/14938-4 - Waste2energy: integration of supercritical technologies and anaerobic digestion through an automated system for the production of biofuel precursors
• Grantee: Tânia Forster Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 19/26925-7 - Development of an automated system for biofuel precursor production using sub-critical technology
• Grantee: William Gustavo Sganzerla
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 21/03950-6 - Subcritical hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion for the production of sugars and biogas from apple pomace from juice processing
• Grantee: Josiel Martins Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral