Journal Article

Valorization of Waste Apple Pomace for Production of Platform Biochemicals: A Multi-Objective Optimization Study

Shavandi, Amin, Okoro, Oseweuba Valentine, Nie, Lei, Hobbi, Parinaz

2021

Overview

In line with the prevailing global interest in value extraction from biomass waste streams, the current study explored the technical feasibility of valorizing waste apple pomace (WAP) to produce high-value biochemicals of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), lactic acid, and xylitol. Technical feasibility was demonstrated via a process simulation study that employed experimental data and incorporated previously reported approaches in the literature. Economic and environmental performances of the WAP based biorefinery were assessed using the internal rate of return (IRR) and the mass of greenhouse gas emission per unit mass of feedstock ( G F ) as sufficient performance indicators, respectively. The study was able to show that as the IRR value increased (better economic performance), the G F increased (poorer environmental performance). This suggested that the determination of the optimal condition of the environmental and economic performances would require the imposition of trade-offs. The preferred trade-off condition for enhanced economic and environmental performances was subsequently determined via multi-objective optimization, with a Pareto front containing non-dominated equally optimal solutions subsequently developed. The present work, therefore, provides an in-depth performance analysis of WAP based biorefinery as a waste management strategy. Notably, the proposed strategy of multiple product generation from biomass may be extended to other organic waste based biorefineries. Graphic Abstract

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Alternative energy sources / Apple pomace / Biomass / Biorefineries / Carbon / Economics / Emissions / Engineering / Environment / Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology / Environmental management / Environmental performance / Feasibility / Feasibility studies / Greenhouse gas emissions / Greenhouse gases / Hydroxymethylfurfural / Industrial Pollution Prevention / Lactic acid / Multiple objective analysis / Organic wastes / Original Paper / Pareto optimization / Polyesters / Polyethylene terephthalate / Raw materials / Reactors / Refining / Renewable and Green Energy / Simulation / Technology assessment / Tradeoffs / Waste management / Waste Management/Waste Technology / Waste streams / Xylitol