The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO2‒eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socio-economic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production fr... more This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable oil waste annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste..............
The current study aims to examine the techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefinery... more The current study aims to examine the techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefinery development within a circular bioeconomy context by using an organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by extraction of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins with 98, 51 and 62 % by mass of conversion efficiency and yield recovery, and value-added fractions production as well. Fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) and glycerol (biofuel) were produced by applying transesterification process, and the remaining biomass was converted into biocrude oil by thermal liquefication. The biorefinery using 613 kg of OFMSW produced biodiesel, glycerol, and bioethanol with 126 litter, 14.3 kg, and 172 litter respectively, as well as value-added fractions, such as biocrude oil with 78 kg. The environmental impact was assessed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, ReCiPe2016 Mid-point (H) approach, through 18 different environmental categories. The key findings elucidate that Terrestrial ecotoxicity, Climate change, Fossil depletion and Human toxicity were the main impact categories which are potentially contributed 9.81E+02 kg 1,4-DB eq., 1.43E+03 kg CO 2 eq., 2.04E+02 kg oil eq., and 8.08E+01 kg 1,4-DB eq. The normalization (person per equivalent) analysis revealed that only categories of resource reduction (fossil and metal depletion) are the key contributors to environmental degradation. The biorefinery system's total revenue was estimated at USD 6.817,509 million annually. The calculated revenue was USD 0.026 million daily in a shift of 8 h. The Net present worth (NPW) was calculated at USD 499.97 million by assuming a discount factor of 10 % and inflation rate of 5 % for 15 years. The project is considered feasible by demonstrating 7.15 payback year. This research showcased the efficient portrayal of the biorefinery system and succinctly conveyed the significant circular bioeconomy for a greener future. Thus, it could be helpful to the stakeholder's context towards techno-economic and environmental evaluation.
The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/ d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO 2eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socioeconomic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
A facile, cost-competitive, scalable and novel synthetic approach is used to prepare copper oxide... more A facile, cost-competitive, scalable and novel synthetic approach is used to prepare copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) using Betel leaf (Piper betle) extracts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents. CuO-NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), as well as photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The activity of CuO-NPs was investigated towards Congo red dye degradation, supercapacitor energy storage and antibacterial activity. A maximum of 89% photodegradation of Congo red dye (CR) was obtained. The nanoparticle modified electrode also exhibited a specific capacitance (C sp) of 179 Fg-1. Furthermore, the antibacterial potential of CuO NPs was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both strains displaying high antibacterial performance.
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production fr... more This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable oil waste annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste. An attributional LCA was conducted using ReCiPe (H) and found that 400 kg of biodiesel can be produced from 1 t of mixed oil waste. The results, based on a functional unit of 1 ton, showed that biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste is more eco-friendly than the existing landfilling practices with a global warming potential of 1.36 × 10−4 kg CO2 eq, human toxicity of 5.31 kg 1.4 DB eq, ozone depletion potential of 0.00271 kg CFC-11 eq, eutrophication potential of 0.0118 kg P eq, acidification potential of 123 kg SO2 eq, and photochemical ozone formation of 51.4 kg NOx eq. Scenario modelling was conducted using electricity from photovoltaic solar cells, which decreased fine particulate matter formation from 44.5 to 0.725 kg PM2.5 eq, instead of using electricity from a grid to the plant. Hotspot identification was carried out to highlight the effects of individual impact categories. An economic analysis showed that 638,839 USD/year revenue would be generated. Generating energy from discarded vegetable oils through biodiesel production presents a sustainable and economically viable approach. This process benefits the environment and contributes to cost savings by reducing waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of a circular economy, in which resources are reused and recycled. It also supports the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, and SDG-12, which emphasizes responsible consumption and production.
The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO2‒eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socio-economic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
Unlocking integrated waste biorefinery approach by predicting calorific value of waste biomass, Aug 22, 2023
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO2‒eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socio-economic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production fr... more This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable oil waste annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste..............
The current study aims to examine the techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefinery... more The current study aims to examine the techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefinery development within a circular bioeconomy context by using an organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by extraction of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins with 98, 51 and 62 % by mass of conversion efficiency and yield recovery, and value-added fractions production as well. Fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) and glycerol (biofuel) were produced by applying transesterification process, and the remaining biomass was converted into biocrude oil by thermal liquefication. The biorefinery using 613 kg of OFMSW produced biodiesel, glycerol, and bioethanol with 126 litter, 14.3 kg, and 172 litter respectively, as well as value-added fractions, such as biocrude oil with 78 kg. The environmental impact was assessed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, ReCiPe2016 Mid-point (H) approach, through 18 different environmental categories. The key findings elucidate that Terrestrial ecotoxicity, Climate change, Fossil depletion and Human toxicity were the main impact categories which are potentially contributed 9.81E+02 kg 1,4-DB eq., 1.43E+03 kg CO 2 eq., 2.04E+02 kg oil eq., and 8.08E+01 kg 1,4-DB eq. The normalization (person per equivalent) analysis revealed that only categories of resource reduction (fossil and metal depletion) are the key contributors to environmental degradation. The biorefinery system's total revenue was estimated at USD 6.817,509 million annually. The calculated revenue was USD 0.026 million daily in a shift of 8 h. The Net present worth (NPW) was calculated at USD 499.97 million by assuming a discount factor of 10 % and inflation rate of 5 % for 15 years. The project is considered feasible by demonstrating 7.15 payback year. This research showcased the efficient portrayal of the biorefinery system and succinctly conveyed the significant circular bioeconomy for a greener future. Thus, it could be helpful to the stakeholder's context towards techno-economic and environmental evaluation.
The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/ d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO 2eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socioeconomic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
A facile, cost-competitive, scalable and novel synthetic approach is used to prepare copper oxide... more A facile, cost-competitive, scalable and novel synthetic approach is used to prepare copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) using Betel leaf (Piper betle) extracts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents. CuO-NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), as well as photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The activity of CuO-NPs was investigated towards Congo red dye degradation, supercapacitor energy storage and antibacterial activity. A maximum of 89% photodegradation of Congo red dye (CR) was obtained. The nanoparticle modified electrode also exhibited a specific capacitance (C sp) of 179 Fg-1. Furthermore, the antibacterial potential of CuO NPs was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both strains displaying high antibacterial performance.
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production fr... more This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable oil waste annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste. An attributional LCA was conducted using ReCiPe (H) and found that 400 kg of biodiesel can be produced from 1 t of mixed oil waste. The results, based on a functional unit of 1 ton, showed that biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste is more eco-friendly than the existing landfilling practices with a global warming potential of 1.36 × 10−4 kg CO2 eq, human toxicity of 5.31 kg 1.4 DB eq, ozone depletion potential of 0.00271 kg CFC-11 eq, eutrophication potential of 0.0118 kg P eq, acidification potential of 123 kg SO2 eq, and photochemical ozone formation of 51.4 kg NOx eq. Scenario modelling was conducted using electricity from photovoltaic solar cells, which decreased fine particulate matter formation from 44.5 to 0.725 kg PM2.5 eq, instead of using electricity from a grid to the plant. Hotspot identification was carried out to highlight the effects of individual impact categories. An economic analysis showed that 638,839 USD/year revenue would be generated. Generating energy from discarded vegetable oils through biodiesel production presents a sustainable and economically viable approach. This process benefits the environment and contributes to cost savings by reducing waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of a circular economy, in which resources are reused and recycled. It also supports the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, and SDG-12, which emphasizes responsible consumption and production.
The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and l... more The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO2‒eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socio-economic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
Unlocking integrated waste biorefinery approach by predicting calorific value of waste biomass, Aug 22, 2023
The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials inte... more The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg − 1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg − 1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept.
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Papers by Anees Ahmad
annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to
support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste..............
potential of 1.36 × 10−4 kg CO2 eq, human toxicity of 5.31 kg 1.4 DB eq, ozone depletion potential of 0.00271 kg CFC-11 eq, eutrophication potential of 0.0118 kg P eq, acidification potential of 123 kg SO2 eq, and photochemical ozone formation of 51.4 kg NOx eq. Scenario modelling was conducted using electricity from photovoltaic solar cells, which decreased fine particulate matter formation from 44.5 to 0.725 kg PM2.5 eq, instead of using electricity from a grid to the plant. Hotspot identification was carried out to highlight the effects of individual impact categories. An economic analysis showed that 638,839 USD/year revenue would be generated. Generating energy from discarded vegetable oils
through biodiesel production presents a sustainable and economically viable approach. This process benefits the environment and contributes to cost savings by reducing waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of a circular economy, in which resources are reused and recycled. It also supports the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, and SDG-12, which emphasizes
responsible consumption and production.
annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to
support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste..............
potential of 1.36 × 10−4 kg CO2 eq, human toxicity of 5.31 kg 1.4 DB eq, ozone depletion potential of 0.00271 kg CFC-11 eq, eutrophication potential of 0.0118 kg P eq, acidification potential of 123 kg SO2 eq, and photochemical ozone formation of 51.4 kg NOx eq. Scenario modelling was conducted using electricity from photovoltaic solar cells, which decreased fine particulate matter formation from 44.5 to 0.725 kg PM2.5 eq, instead of using electricity from a grid to the plant. Hotspot identification was carried out to highlight the effects of individual impact categories. An economic analysis showed that 638,839 USD/year revenue would be generated. Generating energy from discarded vegetable oils
through biodiesel production presents a sustainable and economically viable approach. This process benefits the environment and contributes to cost savings by reducing waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of a circular economy, in which resources are reused and recycled. It also supports the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, and SDG-12, which emphasizes
responsible consumption and production.