Nutrient recovery and pollutant removal during renewable fuel production: opportunities and challenges

Margo Elzinga; Desiree de Haan; Cees J N Buisman; Annemiek Ter Heijne; Johannes B M Klok

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.016

Nutrient recovery and pollutant removal during renewable fuel production: opportunities and challenges

Trends Biotechnol. 2023 Mar;41(3):323-330. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.016. Epub 2023 Jan 18.

Authors

Margo Elzinga¹, Desiree de Haan², Cees J N Buisman³, Annemiek Ter Heijne⁴, Johannes B M Klok⁵

Affiliations

¹ Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, PO Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Paqell BV, Reactorweg 301, 3542 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
² Shell BV, Grasweg 31, 1031 HW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, PO Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, PO Box 1113, 8900 CC, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
⁴ Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, PO Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, PO Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Paqell BV, Reactorweg 301, 3542 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, PO Box 1113, 8900 CC, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

PMID: 36669946
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.016

Abstract

Stimulated by the desire to achieve a Net Zero energy economy, the demand for renewable fuels is growing rapidly. The production of toxic waste streams that accompanies the transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels is often overlooked. These waste streams include, among others, thiols and ammonia, and benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). When suitable treatment technologies are available, these compounds can be converted to valuable nutrients. In this opinion article, we provide an overview of expected waste streams and their characteristics. We indicate future challenges for associated waste streams, such as the lag in developing resource recovery technologies. Furthermore, we discuss unexploited opportunities to recover valuable nutrients from these waste streams.

Keywords: Net Zero; ammonia; aromatic compounds; renewable fuel; thiol.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Environmental Pollutants*
Renewable Energy*

Substances

Environmental Pollutants