A Pilot Plant Study on the Autoclaving of Food Wastes for Resource Recovery and Reutilization

Chia-Chi Chang, Yen-Hau Chen, Yi-Shiou Lin, Zang-Sei Hung, Min-Hao Yuan, Ching-Yuan Chang, Yuan-Shen Li, Je-Lueng Shie, Yi-Hung Chen, Yen-Chi Wang, Chun-Han Ko, Far-Ching Lin, Chungfang Ho, Bo-Liang Liu, Kuang-Wei Liu and Shi-Guan Wang
Additional contact information
Chia-Chi Chang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yen-Hau Chen: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yi-Shiou Lin: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Zang-Sei Hung: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Min-Hao Yuan: Department of Occupational Safety and Health, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
Ching-Yuan Chang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yuan-Shen Li: Department of Environmental Engineering, National I-Lan University, Yi-Lan 260, Taiwan
Je-Lueng Shie: Department of Environmental Engineering, National I-Lan University, Yi-Lan 260, Taiwan
Yi-Hung Chen: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yen-Chi Wang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chun-Han Ko: School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Far-Ching Lin: School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chungfang Ho: Department of International Business, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320, Taiwan
Bo-Liang Liu: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Kuang-Wei Liu: Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Chung-Li 320, Taiwan
Shi-Guan Wang: Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Chung-Li 320, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: Autoclaving of food wastes (FW) for the resource recovery and reutilization was studied using the pilot plant scale. Experiments were conducted at various temperatures of 408, 428, and 438 K and times of 15 and 60 min. The in-filled steam to the autoclave was supplied by the incineration plant with a gauge pressure of 7 kg/cm 2 and a temperature of 443 K or above. The results obtained from the experiments show that the less energy- and time-consuming autoclaving conditions (408 K and 15 min, denoted as Case A408-15) are effective. Comparisons of the properties and characteristics of autoclaved FW (FW A ) of Case A408-15 with those of FW are made. The wet bulk volume and wet bulk density of FW A are dramatically reduced to 15.64% and increased to 313.37% relative to those of FW, respectively. This makes the subsequent processing and reuse for FW A more convenient than FW. The autoclaving results in an increase of carbon content and a decrease of nitrogen content, and thus an increase of the C/N ratio of FW A . The contents of sulfur, hemi-cellulose, and cellulose of FW A are also reduced. All these fluctuations are beneficial for making compost or other usages from FW A than FW. The autoclaved liquid product (LA) separated from FW A and liquid condensate (LC) from the released gas possess high COD and TOC. These two liquids can be mixed for use as liquid fertilizers with proper conditioning. Alternatively, further anaerobic digestion of the mixture of FW A , LA, and LC can offer enhanced biogas production for power generation. All these thus match the appeal of sustainable materials management and circular economy. The emitted gas from autoclaving contains no CO and some hydrocarbons. Suitable air pollution control is needed. The results and information obtained are useful for the proper recovery and reuse of abundant food wastes from domestic households and food industries.

Keywords: autoclaving; food wastes; resource recovery; reutilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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