Advancing circular bioeconomy: trends, clusters, and roadmaps in biofuel production and waste valorisation

Y. Chernysh¹², V. Chubur¹ and H. Roubik¹*

¹Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Sustainable Technologies, Kamýcká 129, CZ16500 Prague, Czech Republic
²Sumy State University, Faculty of Technical Systems and Energy Efficient Technologies, Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Technologies, 116, Kharkivska Str., UA40007 Sumy, Ukraine
*Correspondence: roubik@ftz.czu.cz

Abstract:

Today, one of the important tasks of bioeconomy development is waste management based on the principles of environmental management and bioenergy production. In the context of this issue, this review focusses on the analysis of current trends in biofuel production that involve sustainable feedstocks and the valorisation of waste into useful bioproducts in agriculture. The scientometric method included the use of Scopus and Web of Science databases to compare the coverage of the research topic with keyword chain optimization. In addition, bioinformational databases was used to support the involvement of secondary raw materials in the bioprocessing cycle. The implementation of the research objectives resulted in the identification of bioeconomy clusters that emphasize the importance of developing specific regional circular bioeconomy strategies while avoiding ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions for individual sectoral technologies. An example of bioeconomy development in the world is bioenergy. The structure of bioenergy has been analysed. A roadmap for biotechnology modernisation was proposed using the example of anaerobic waste conversion process as part of the implementation of a circular bioeconomy. The stages of the roadmap for the modernisation of bioenergy technologies were analysed within the framework of the sectoral implementation of the circular bioeconomy. The efficiency indicators for the implementation of bioeconomy in agricultural production have been determined. In addition, an important direction unifying anaerobic technologies with the agricultural sector is the enrichment of digestates with macro and microelements, which is possible due to mineral additives, for example, phosphogypsum. This direction was also considered from the point of view of environmental safety.

Key words:

agricultural production, bioeconomy, renewable energy, waste recycling

Processing of Latvian peat and waste coffee as a biocomposite material for the oil spill collection

K. Irtiseva¹*, M. Zhylina¹², R. Baumanis¹, J. Kuzmina³, J. Ozolins¹1 and V. Lapkovskis⁴

¹Riga Technical University, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre, Pulka street 3, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
²Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Stende Research Centre, LV-3258, Dizstende, Latvia
³Riga Technical University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Scientific Laboratory of Powder Materials and Institute of Aeronautics, Kipsalas street 6B, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
⁴Riga Technical University, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 3/7 Paula Valdena street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: kristine.irtiseva@rtu.lv

Abstract:

There is a growing interest in adsorbents of natural origin that are renewable, effective, and able to treat water contaminated by oil products. The current paper investigates a novel bio-based ‘peat – spent coffee grounds’ SCG-HP bio-based composite pellets as a perspective adsorbent for spilt oil products. The preparation and characterisation of SCG-HP bio-based composite material in pellet form is described. This research used homogenised peat (HP) as an efficient, natural binder. The SCG in different proportions (from 12 wt% to 50 wt%) with HP were used for the different types of SCG-HP granulated sorbents. The granule size obtained ranged from 2 to 6 mm with a total porosity of 56–61%. The sorption of the test oil (fresh engine oil Pilot 10W-40 SJ/CF) was investigated. Sorption studies showed maximum adsorption (capacity) from 90 to 125 wt% for SCG-HP granules.

Key words: