Liquid fertilizer production from organic waste by conventional and microwave-assisted extraction technologies: Techno-economic and environmental assessment

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150904
• Publication Date: 2021-10-13T15:50:15Z
• Authors: Marina Fernández-...; Esther del Amo-Ma...; Susana Lucas; M. Teresa García-...; Mónica Coca
• Keywords: Environmental Analysis; Biodegradable waste; Organic fertilizer

The use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture has significantly increased to support the growing global food demand. Organic are produced from renewable waste materials overcome drawbacks inorganic fertilizers. development novel production processes organic entails a significant advance towards circular economy that reincorporates into cycle. In this work, economic and environmental feasibility an industrial plant with treatment capacity 300 kg/h for liquid been performed. Two extraction technologies (conventional microwave) two solvents (water alkaline) have compared select most sustainable profitable scenario scaling-up. process consists 2 steps: followed by concentration stage (necessary only if water is applied). resolution mass balances shows fertilizer under alkaline conditions ten times higher than water-based extraction. analysis demonstrated total investment cost microwave technology (>3.5 M€) three conventional (<1.5 M€), mainly due complexity equipment. These facts directly impact minimum selling price, because obtained solvent would lower price (about 1 €/L). As assessment, indicators show alkaline-solvent extraction, necessity extract meet requirements European regulations. view results evaluation, it could be concluded favourable scaling up conditions.