Energy Production from Biodegradable Waste as an Example of the Circular Economy

Abstract

A growing population, technological progress and economic development result in a constant increase in energy demand. Energy is mostly obtained from fossil energy resources such as coal, natural gas, and crude oil. Burning them leads to air pollution with greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, NH3 and N2O) and dust (PM2.5 and PM10). They are recognized as the cause of global warming and air pollution. Wind, water, solar and biomass energy are used to eliminate harmful emissions. The latter may come from special plant crops or from biodegradable waste from farming, animal husbandry, the agrifood industry and households. These wastes are transformed into biogas in biogas plants, the basic ingredient of which is methane. Most often, biogas is burned in a cogeneration process, providing electricity and heat. After purification of admixtures, it can be injected into the high-methane gas network or converted into hydrogen in the steam reforming process. In this way, environmentally harmful waste becomes a raw material for energy production, which is an example of a circular economy. The article discusses the functioning of biogas plants in selected EU countries. The current biogas production in Poland was assessed and compared with the production potential of dairy farms. The aim of this article was to show that the production of biogas reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the electricity produced from it is not burdened with the cost of purchasing CO2 emission allowances applicable in the EU.

Analyzing Socio-Economic Development and Energy Dynamics Across Polish Voivodeships

“…They are considered to be the cause of global warming and air pollution. Wind, water, solar (Izdebski and Kosiorek, 2023) and biomass energy are all used to prevent producing harmful emissions (Szyba and Mikulik, 2022).…”

A Review on the Use of Catalysis for Biogas Steam Reforming

“…Firstly, the potential for the production of biogas, electricity, and heat from waste i important, as a wide range of electricity yields (from 52 to 850 kWh) could be obtained from 1 ton of biodegradable waste [35]. Previous studies recommend large-scale produc However, in Figure 15b, the purification process (in this case, PSA, where an adsorbent is used to bind molecules depending on the gas component, type of adsorbent material, partial pressure, and operating temperature [25,127]) takes place after the products are obtained, with no direct effect on the chemical balance.…”

“…Firstly, the potential for the production of biogas, electricity, and heat from waste is important, as a wide range of electricity yields (from 52 to 850 kWh) could be obtained from 1 ton of biodegradable waste [35]. Previous studies recommend large-scale productions of biogas (at least 400 tons per day, and not recommending productions below 50 tons per day), especially for energy consumption due to steam generation [42].…”

Impact of Social Media Marketing Activities and ESG Green Brand Involvement on Green Product Repurchase

“…The main cause of warming is the emission of greenhouse gas, especially direct or indirect human emissions of carbon dioxide [5]. Carbon Brief, an organization that studies climate change, points out that most of the greenhouse gas emissions come from the combustion process of fossil energy and the manufacturing process of non-green products [6][7][8]. To provide for the diverse needs of the world's 8 billion people, climate and environmental quality pay a heavy price.…”