(724c) Valorization of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste: Improving Process Efficiency Via Biomass Refining and in Situ Electrochemical Separation of Bio Based Products
AIChE Annual Meeting
2019
2019 AIChE Annual Meeting
Sustainable Engineering Forum
Developments in Biorefineries
Thursday, November 14, 2019 - 4:20pm to 4:45pm
The development of sustainable biorefineries using crude renewable resources for the production of various bio-based products
is essential in order to achieve a smooth transition to the circular economy era. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste
(OFMSW) contains proteins, lipids, pectins and polysaccharides that could be used in various applications. The fractionation and
conversion of OFMSW should be combined with the development of innovative technologies, such as the integrated
bioconversion and electrochemical separation process presented in this study.
OFMSW has been used as the sole substrate for the production of crude enzyme consortia via solid state fermentation of
Aspergillus awamori. Extraction of lipids, proteins and pectins was evaluated using untreated or enzymatically treated OFMSW
and material balances were estimated in order to identify the optimal refining scheme. Pectins were enzymatically hydrolyzed into
galacturonic acid that was separated in situ using an electrochemical cell with an anion exchange membrane. The OFMSW
carbohydrates were enzymatically hydrolyzed and the sugar-rich hydrolysate was used for succinic acid production via
fermentation with the bacterial strain Actinobacillus succinogenes. A novel electrochemical membrane bioreactor was applied for
the integrated production and extraction of succinic acid in one unit operation. The integrated system led to higher yield,
productivity and purity of succinic acid crystals than the conventional fermentation process, while the nutrients contained in the
hydrolyzed OFMSW reduced the need for yeast extract supplementation. The combination of biorefinery development with
electrochemical recovery of galacturonic acid and succinic acid led to reduced unit operations and enhanced process efficiency.
is essential in order to achieve a smooth transition to the circular economy era. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste
(OFMSW) contains proteins, lipids, pectins and polysaccharides that could be used in various applications. The fractionation and
conversion of OFMSW should be combined with the development of innovative technologies, such as the integrated
bioconversion and electrochemical separation process presented in this study.
OFMSW has been used as the sole substrate for the production of crude enzyme consortia via solid state fermentation of
Aspergillus awamori. Extraction of lipids, proteins and pectins was evaluated using untreated or enzymatically treated OFMSW
and material balances were estimated in order to identify the optimal refining scheme. Pectins were enzymatically hydrolyzed into
galacturonic acid that was separated in situ using an electrochemical cell with an anion exchange membrane. The OFMSW
carbohydrates were enzymatically hydrolyzed and the sugar-rich hydrolysate was used for succinic acid production via
fermentation with the bacterial strain Actinobacillus succinogenes. A novel electrochemical membrane bioreactor was applied for
the integrated production and extraction of succinic acid in one unit operation. The integrated system led to higher yield,
productivity and purity of succinic acid crystals than the conventional fermentation process, while the nutrients contained in the
hydrolyzed OFMSW reduced the need for yeast extract supplementation. The combination of biorefinery development with
electrochemical recovery of galacturonic acid and succinic acid led to reduced unit operations and enhanced process efficiency.
Acknowledgments
Received funding by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme, grant agreement No 745828, entitled “Chemical building blocks from versatile MSW biorefineryâ€
(Acronym: PERCAL).