Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate: challenges and opportunities
Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate: challenges and opportunities
Managing organic waste streams is a major challenge for the agricultural industry. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic wastes is a preferred option in the waste management hierarchy, as this process can generate renewable energy, reduce emissions from waste storage, and produce fertiliser material. However, Nitrate Vulnerable Zone legislation and seasonal restrictions can limit the use of digestate on agricultural land. In this paper we demonstrate the potential of cultivating microalgae on digestate as a feedstock, either directly after dilution, or indirectly from effluent remaining after biofertiliser extraction. Resultant microalgal biomass can then be used to produce livestock feed, biofuel or for higher value bio-products. The approach could mitigate for possible regional excesses, and substitute conventional high-impact products with bio-resources, enhancing sustainability within a circular economy. Recycling nutrients from digestate with algal technology is at an early stage. We present and discuss challenges and opportunities associated with developing this new technology.
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Stiles, William A.v.
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Styles, David
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Chapman, Stephen P.
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Esteves, Sandra
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Bywater, Angela
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Melville, Lynsey
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Silkina, Alla
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Lupatsch, Ingrid
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Fuentes Grünewald, Claudio
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Lovitt, Robert
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Chaloner, Tom
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Bull, Andy
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Morris, Chris
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Llewellyn, Carole A.
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Stiles, William A.v.
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Styles, David
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Chapman, Stephen P.
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Esteves, Sandra
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Bywater, Angela
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Melville, Lynsey
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Silkina, Alla
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Lupatsch, Ingrid
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Fuentes Grünewald, Claudio
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Lovitt, Robert
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Chaloner, Tom
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Bull, Andy
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Morris, Chris
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Llewellyn, Carole A.
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Stiles, William A.v., Styles, David, Chapman, Stephen P., Esteves, Sandra, Bywater, Angela, Melville, Lynsey, Silkina, Alla, Lupatsch, Ingrid, Fuentes Grünewald, Claudio, Lovitt, Robert, Chaloner, Tom, Bull, Andy, Morris, Chris and Llewellyn, Carole A.
(2018)
Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate: challenges and opportunities.
Bioresource Technology, .
(doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.100).
Abstract
Managing organic waste streams is a major challenge for the agricultural industry. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic wastes is a preferred option in the waste management hierarchy, as this process can generate renewable energy, reduce emissions from waste storage, and produce fertiliser material. However, Nitrate Vulnerable Zone legislation and seasonal restrictions can limit the use of digestate on agricultural land. In this paper we demonstrate the potential of cultivating microalgae on digestate as a feedstock, either directly after dilution, or indirectly from effluent remaining after biofertiliser extraction. Resultant microalgal biomass can then be used to produce livestock feed, biofuel or for higher value bio-products. The approach could mitigate for possible regional excesses, and substitute conventional high-impact products with bio-resources, enhancing sustainability within a circular economy. Recycling nutrients from digestate with algal technology is at an early stage. We present and discuss challenges and opportunities associated with developing this new technology.
Text
Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate.._
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 19 July 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 21 July 2018
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 423013
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/423013
ISSN: 0960-8524
PURE UUID: 52e45550-2bfb-49dd-b9bb-eddcd2d08b0b
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Date deposited: 09 Aug 2018 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 06:56
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Contributors
Author:
William A.v. Stiles
Author:
David Styles
Author:
Stephen P. Chapman
Author:
Sandra Esteves
Author:
Lynsey Melville
Author:
Alla Silkina
Author:
Ingrid Lupatsch
Author:
Claudio Fuentes Grünewald
Author:
Robert Lovitt
Author:
Tom Chaloner
Author:
Andy Bull
Author:
Chris Morris
Author:
Carole A. Llewellyn
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