Turning Agroindustrial Waste into Energy: Technoeconomic Insights from the Theoretical Anaerobic Digestion of Apple and Orange Byproducts

Author(s)

Ampese, Larissa Castro ; Ziero, Henrique Di Domenico ; Velasquez-Pinas, Jean Agustin ; Martins, Gilberto ; Forster-Carneiro, Tania

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING; v. 13, n. 21, p. 12-pg., 2025-05-22.

Abstract

Brazil produces large volumes of apple and orange juice, generating apple pomace (AP) and orange waste (OW), which are often underutilized. This study evaluates the potential of these residues for bioenergy production through anaerobic digestion (AD) within a circular economy framework. Three scenarios were analyzed: (I) AD of AP, (II) AD of AP combined with OW, and (III) AD of a centralized system processing 10 times the mass of AP+OW. The combined heat and power (CHP) system recovered electrical and thermal energy, reducing the industry's energy demand. The estimated energy outputs were 10,815.6 MWh/year for scenario I, 13,436.0 MWh/year for scenario II, and 134,360.4 MWh/year for scenario III. The corresponding net present values were 5.94 million, 7.57 million, and 85.01 million USD, with internal rates of return of 133.33%, 147.01%, and 332.33%, respectively. Scenario III demonstrated the highest profitability due to economies of scale, reducing the capital investment per unit of energy generated. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the strong influence of electricity pricing and capital investment costs on the financial viability. These findings support the integration of AD as a sustainable solution for juice industry waste, promoting renewable energy generation and reducing environmental impacts. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/05067-8 - Biochar as a strategy to intensify the production of biogas and biomethane from food industry waste: experimental study and life cycle assessment based on the concept of biorefinery (4Bio)
• Grantee: Jean Agustin Velásquez Piñas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 21/07986-5 - VALUATION OF APPLE POMACE BY ANAEROBIC DIGESTION TECHNOLOGY IN A BIOREFINERY CONCEPT
• Grantee: Larissa Castro Ampese
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/08696-0 - Biorefineries in the context of food industries and their approach to sustainability: energy, technical-economic and environmental analysis based on biogas and biomethane production (ZeWaFFI)
• Grantee: Jean Agustin Velásquez Piñas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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