Biomethane made from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste can provide several economic and environmental benefits such as: the valorisation of waste products, increased resource efficiency, increased retention of nutrients through recycling of biogas digestate (Banks, et al., 2011), reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Börjesson, et al., 2016) as well as the reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions (Börjesson & Berglund, 2007).To help actors understand when and where biomethane solutions can succeed, including the qualitative and quantitative aspects of a solution, an Early Assessment Method has been developed. The categories included in the assessment are potential, feasibility, economic and environmental performance. The Early Assessment Method was developed using a multi-criteria framework and consists of 15 key areas and 24 key indicators that should be considered when assessing biomethane solutions. Each quantitative indicator can be assessed either with site-specific data or by using generic equations and average values while the qualitative indicators are given a five-grade scale to facilitate the assessment.The potential category focuses on assessing how much raw material there is in the investigated area and how much of the usable products can be produced. The final areas are: biomass potential, biomethane potential and bio-fertilizer potential. In the feasibility assessment, qualitative aspects are assessed using a five-grade scale. The key areas for feasibility include: customer demand, competing applications, strategies for renewable fuels, legislation, economic instruments and infrastructure suitability. Performance is assessed both for economic performance and environmental performance to understand how the biomethane solution would perform if implemented. Economic performance includes both an indicator for cost per unit produced and an indicator for the investment cost for each production step. The key areas included are: biogas generation cost, biogas upgrading cost and biomethane distribution cost. The environmental performance is evaluated to understand how environmental aspects would change if biomethane replaced an alternative fuel on the market in the studied region. Key areas to assess this are: climate impact, air quality and nutrient recycling. These areas highlight some important benefits of using biomethane over fossil fuels, which are the most common fuels for heavy-duty vehicles.A two-part Early Assessment Tool was also developed. The tool is included in the method, but can be used separately if the user has a basic knowledge of biomethane. It assists with information collection, through a questionnaire, and structuring and presenting data, through a spreadsheet. The design of the Early Assessment Tool favours simplicity and usability while striving to maintain relevant information. It is meant to be used both for educational and investigative purposes when providing an early assessment of biomethane solutions within a certain region. The result from the tool can aid when making decisions and help with identifying which local actors to involve and what consultancy work might be needed to realise a biomethane solution.

<p>The awareness of the effect emissions have on the environment and climate has risen in the last decades. This has caused strict regulations of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases cause global warming which may have devastating environmental effects. Most of the fuels commercially available today are fossil fuels. There are two major effects of using fuels with fossil origin; the source will eventually drain and the usage results in an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Fuels that are created from a renewable feedstock are often referred to as alternative fuels and under ideal conditions they are greenhouse gas neutral, meaning that the same amount of greenhouse gases is released during combustion as the source of the fuel have absorbed during its growth period. This evaluation method is known as a well-to-wheel analysis which besides emissions also evaluates energy efficiencies during both the production and the combustion phases.</p><p>By evaluating results of well-to-wheel analyses along with fuel properties and engine concept characteristics, this report presents which driving scenario that is suitable for different powertrain configurations. For example, vehicles operating in high populated areas, as cities, have a driving scenario that includes low velocities and multiple stops while vehicles in low populated areas often travel long distances in higher speeds. This implies that different powertrains are suitable in different regions. By matching favorable properties of a certain powertrain to the properties important to the actual driving scenario this report evolves a fuel infrastructure that is suitable in Sweden.</p>

The awareness of the effect emissions have on the environment and climate has risen in the last decades. This has caused strict regulations of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases cause global warming which may have devastating environmental effects. Most of the fuels commercially available today are fossil fuels. There are two major effects of using fuels with fossil origin; the source will eventually drain and the usage results in an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Fuels that are created from a renewable feedstock are often referred to as alternative fuels and under ideal conditions they are greenhouse gas neutral, meaning that the same amount of greenhouse gases is released during combustion as the source of the fuel have absorbed during its growth period. This evaluation method is known as a well-to-wheel analysis which besides emissions also evaluates energy efficiencies during both the production and the combustion phases. By evaluating results of well-to-wheel analyses along with fuel properties and engine concept characteristics, this report presents which driving scenario that is suitable for different powertrain configurations. For example, vehicles operating in high populated areas, as cities, have a driving scenario that includes low velocities and multiple stops while vehicles in low populated areas often travel long distances in higher speeds. This implies that different powertrains are suitable in different regions. By matching favorable properties of a certain powertrain to the properties important to the actual driving scenario this report evolves a fuel infrastructure that is suitable in Sweden.

La produzione di biogas è un tematica di forte impatto globale per due ragioni principali: il prossimo esaurimento dei combustibili fossili e l’inquinamento ambientale dovuto allo smaltimento di scarti organici. La Digestione Anaerobica (DA) è un processo biologico che permette la risoluzione di entrambi i problemi, producendo energia (in forma di biogas) e convertendo gli scarti organici in metano e anidride carbonica. Tale processo è basato su una complessa catena sintrofica tra consorzi microbici che produco il substrato per la fase finale di metanogenesi. Il siero di latte è uno scarto altamente inquinante derivante dal processo di lavorazione del formaggio e per questo è stato ampiamente investigato come substrato per la DA. Tuttavia esiste uno scarto meno noto prodotto dalle fasi di porzionatura e grattugia del formaggio a lunga stagionatura. Il presente studio analizza il microbioma di digestori anaerobici processanti scarti dell’industria lattiero-casearia, quali letame bovino, siero di latte e scarto del formaggio a pasta dura. In particolare, viene analizzato l’effetto dei parametri di processo, delle diverse configurazioni dei reattori e del tipo di scarto, su tale microbioma. L’obiettivo è raggiunto tramite tecniche biomolecolari che permettono di quantificare e identificare le principali specie presenti nei reattori, insieme alla differente espressione genica in seguito all’iniezione di idrogeno a scopo di upgrading del biogas. / Biogas production is a hot topic, which has globally gained interest from many researchers over the past years. This fact is mainly due to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns regarding wastes disposal. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) represents a biological way to obtain both energy (in form of biogas) and waste discard, by converting the polluting organic matter. The overall process relies on a syntrophic chain where different microbial consortia produce the feed necessary for the final methanogenic step. Cheese whey has been largely investigated for AD treatment, since is a high polluting waste derived from the cheese-making process. However, there is a less-known waste originating from the portioning and shaving phases of long-ripened hard-cheese. This study aimed to investigate the microbiome of anaerobic digesters processing dairy industry wastes, such as cattle manure, cheese whey and hard-cheese powder wastes. In particular, the effects of process parameters, reactor configurations and type of dairy wastes, on the microbial populations, have been analyzed. The goal was achieved by means of culture-independent methods and high throughput sequencing, which allowed quantifying and identifying the main species present, as well as their differential gene expression in relation to hydrogen injection for biogas upgrading purposes.

The subject of this thesis are both available and potentional gaseous and liquid biofuels. The thesis deals with their detailed description and comparison. The first part describes the current legislation and the basic types of biofuels. The main part focuses then on biofuels themselves, their characteristics, production, utilization, and their impact on environment. In further parts, emissions created during the cycle of production and distribution of biofuel are characterized. Last part brings comparison of biofuels from different points of view, and recommendation of the alternative ways of production of gaseous and liquid biofuels from renewable resources of energy.

Considéré comme vecteur énergétique du futur, l'hydrogène semble être la solution miracle pour sortir de la crise énergétique et environnementale actuelle. Ceci peut être vrai à condition de résoudre tous les problèmes inhérents à son cycle de vie (production, distribution, stockage et utilisation). Face aux nombreux impacts environnementaux générés au cours de la production d’hydrogène, la complexité de leur évaluation et les éventuelles interactions entre eux, le recours à des méthodes d’évaluation environnementale semble nécessaire. Ainsi, l’Analyse de Cycle de Vie Exergétique (ACVE) a été choisie comme l’outil le plus intéressant pour l’étude des scénarios de production d’hydrogène. Elle va, d’une part, comparer des systèmes de production d’hydrogène dans le but de déterminer lequel est le plus éco-efficace et, d’autre part, localiser leurs possibilités d’amélioration environnementale. Huit scénarios de production d’hydrogène ont été étudiés par cette approche ACVE. Ces scénarios se basent essentiellement sur des techniques de reformage du méthane fossile, du biométhane et du bioéthanol. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les scénarios de production d’hydrogène à partir du méthane fossile, technique mûre et largement utilisée, sont les plus gros consommateurs de ressources abiotiques et les plus émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre (GES). Par contre, le recours au biométhane comme source d’hydrogène peut présenter, dans certaines configurations, une bonne solution. Le profil environnemental d’une filière hydrogène ex-biométhane peut encore être rendu plus attrayant par amélioration du système de digestion anaérobie avec un système de reformage sur site. Le recours au bioéthanol produit à partir du blé comme source d’hydrogène présente des effets néfastes sur l’environnement. En effet, ces procédés sont caractérisés par de grands pouvoirs d’eutrophisation et d’acidification en plus de leurs émissions importantes des gaz effet de serre (GES). Toutefois, le bioéthanol peut constituer une source durable et renouvelable pour la production d’hydrogène si sa production ne nuit pas à l’environnement / Considered as the future energy carrier, hydrogen appears to be the miracle solution to overcome the current energy crisis and environmental problems. This can be possible only by solving all the problems associated with its life cycle (production, distribution, storage and final use).Due to the large number of environmental impacts generated during hydrogen production, the complexity of their evaluation and the possible interactions among them the use of environmental assessment methods is necessary. The Exergetic Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA) approach was chosen as the most useful tool for hydrogen production scenarios investigation. It compares hydrogen production systems in order to identify which one is more eco-efficient and recognizes their opportunities for environmental improvement. Eight scenarios for hydrogen production were studied by the ELCA approach. These scenarios are essentially based on reforming techniques of fossil methane, biomethane and bioethanol. The results show that the hydrogen produced by fossil methane scenarios, a mature and widely used technique, are the largest consumers of abiotic resources and emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG). The use of biomethane as hydrogen source presents an interesting solution. The environmental profile of a hydrogen ex-bio-methane can be made even more attractive solution by improving anaerobic digestion system with on-site reforming process. The use of bio-ethanol produced from wheat as a hydrogen source has large environmental impacts. In fact, these processes are characterized by large eutrophication and acidification potentials in addition to their emissions of large amount of greenhouse gases (GHG). However, bio-ethanol can be a sustainable and renewable source for hydrogen production on condition that it is produced by environmentally friendly manners

La co-digestion anaérobie (CoDA) des substrats agro-industriels s’inscrit pleinement dans les objectifs sociétaux d’une gestion optimisée des agroressources, d’une réduction des impacts anthropogéniques, ainsi que d’un développement des énergies renouvelables. Toutefois, en considérant les verrous industriels et scientifiques, il est apparu que la problématique méthodologique, relative à l’étude et à l’optimisation, était primordiale dans l’amélioration des performances méthanogènes en CoDA. En cela, il s’est avéré que le principal actionneur pour l’optimisation de la CoDA soit la formulation du mélange en substrats et co-substrats constituant l’intrant du digesteur. Ainsi, les travaux de thèse étaient inscrits dans un double objectif, industriel et scientifique, dont les résultats ont permis de (i) mettre en œuvre des méthodes simples, peu chronophages et surtout peu coûteuses, pour la caractérisation des intrants et le suivi de la CoDA, (ii) déterminer la relation fondamentale entre la formulation du mélange de substrats et son potentiel biométhanogène, (iii) développer des outils de prédiction du potentiel biométhanogène des mélanges de substrats, ainsi que des biodégradabilités globales et spécifiques de ces derniers, (iv) améliorer la compréhension des interactions entre les substrats codigérés et le consortium microbien de digestion, ainsi que la capacité de ce dernier à s’adapter aux diverses charges organiques qui lui sont appliquées (capacité homéostasique). / The co-digestion of agro-industrial substrates in anaerobic conditions falls within the objectives of an optimized management of agricultural resources along with reduction of anthropogenic impacts and development of renewable energies. Considering scientific and industrial bottlenecks from literature review, it could be identified that a methodological approach was the key to an enhanced understanding of anaerobic co-digestion. Ultimately, formulation of the substrate and co-substrates (digestor’s inputs) appeared to be the main actuator to optimize anaerobic co-digestion. Conciliating both scientific and industrial issues, this thesis led to the following findings : (i) an implementation of simple and cost-saving methods to characterize the inputs of digestor and biogas production, (ii) a determination of fundamental relationship between substrate blend and his biomethane potential, (iii) a development of predictive tools for biomethane potential of substrate blends as well as global and specific biodegradability of substrates, (iv) an enhanced comprehension of first, interactions between codigested substrates and the microbial consortium and second, the adaptation capacity of the microbial consortium to various organic loading (homeostatic capacity).

O presente trabalho realizou o estudo dos principais problemas dos motores movidos a biogás e das principais tecnologias de purificação do biogás em biometano. Para tanto, foram avaliados vários tipos de motores movidos a biogás e estudadas possíveis modificações para aumentar, consideravelmente, sua vida útil. Na purificação do biogás para produção de biometano, foram estudadas as mais diversas tecnologias disponíveis no mercado e na literatura, além da realização de um estudo de caso para melhoria da tecnologia no processo de purificação de biogás, ou seja, a biometanização utilizada na Granja Haacke. A configuração atual de purificação de biogás ocorre via processo físico-químico, utilizando uma coluna de limalha de ferro oxidada, para remoção da fração grosseira, principalmente, do H2S. A ocorrência de falhas ou manutenção desta fase do processo provoca a interrupção da operação. A segunda etapa de purificação consiste na utilização de duas colunas de adsorção tipo Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), cuja função é remover a fração resultante de CO2 da composição do biogás. Pode-se concluir que, a melhor proposta de upgrade para o estudo de caso seria introduzir, no início do processo, uma torre de biodessulfurização de biogás Thiobacillus ferroxidans, seguida de duas colunas de limalha de ferro oxidado, montadas em paralelo, para remoção de H2S e CO2, mantendo toda a configuração posterior para remoção da fração fina. Com isto, o sistema ficará, consideravelmente, ecoeficiente, pois reduzirá a produção de inservíveis, aumentando a vida útil dos filtros. / This investigation aimed to accomplish the study of the major problems of engines operating with biogas and the main purification technologies in biomethane. Therefore, was evaluated several types of engines operating with biogas and studied possible changes to improve significantly the lifetime. In the purification of biogas to produce biomethane, was studied several technologies available in the market and in literature, besides to accomplish a case study to improve the purification process, that is, the biomethanization used in Granja Haacke. The current configuration of biogas purification is via physical-chemical process using a rusty column iron for removal of the coarse fraction mainly H2S. The occurrence of faults or maintenance of this stage of the process causes the stop operation. The second step purification use two Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) columns whose function is to remove the resulting fraction of CO2 from biogas composition. We can conclude that the best proposal to case study upgrade would be introduced at the beginning of the process a biogas desulphurization tower of the Thiobacillus ferroxidans followed by two columns of rusty column iron mounted in parallel for removing H2S and CO2, and thus keep all subsequent setting for the fine fraction removal. With this the system will be considerably ecofriendly because will be reduced the scrap production increasing the lifetime of the filters.

The thesis deals with the issue of removing carbon dioxide from biogas using membrane separation. Addresses the impact of the implementation of a small research facility at the existing operation of the biogas plant. Assessment of the impact on traffic is solved in terms of technical and economic.

Strategies to harness the energy from organic waste is gaining importance on a global scale, especially in countries with large quantities of it. In this paper, a techno-economic analysisand a field study were performed to investigate the feasibility of five scenarios for a conceptual biogas facility, based on a case study from Colombia. The plant designs involved anaerobic digestion followed by different combinations of biogas upgrading, combined heat and power and/or steam methane reforming technologies and investigated four different feedstocks. The results demonstrated that the road infrastructure leading to the current proposed site is inadequate, and a new location should be found. Anaerobic digestion alone was most profitable with the shortest payback period. Organic Municipal Solid Waste and Poultry Manure produced high techno-economic potential depending on the scenario. The production of hydrogen using anaerobic digestion, steam methane reforming and combined heat and power with or without upgrading is not recommended due to the current market prices and high heat consumption. However, it can be profitable to implement green energy initiatives as a strategy to establish and lead future energy markets.