TY - JOUR
T1 - Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate:
T2 - Challenges and Opportunities
AU - Stiles, William
AU - Styles, David
AU - Chapman, Stephen
AU - Esteves, Sandra
AU - Bywater, Angela
AU - Melville, Lynsey
AU - Silkina, Alla
AU - Lupatsch, Ingrid
AU - Grünewald, Claudio Fuentes
AU - Lovitt, Robert
AU - Chaloner, Tom
AU - Bull, Andy
AU - Morris, Chris
PY - 2018/11/1
Y1 - 2018/11/1
N2 - 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
AB - 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
KW - anaerobic digestion
KW - algae
KW - nutrient recycling
KW - livestock feed
KW - circular economy
U2 - 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.100
DO - 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.100
M3 - Article
C2 - 30076074
SN - 0960-8524
VL - 267
SP - 732
EP - 742
JO - Bioresource Technology
JF - Bioresource Technology
ER -
