Techno-economic analysis of a food waste valorization process via microalgae cultivation and co-production of plasticizer, lactic acid and animal feed from algal biomass and food waste

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Tsz Him Kwan
  • Daniel Pleissner
  • Kin Yan Lau
  • Joachim Venus
  • Aude Pommeret
  • Carol Sze Ki Lin
A techno-economic study of food waste valorization via fungal hydrolysis, microalgae cultivation and production of plasticizer, lactic acid and animal feed was simulated and evaluated by Super-Pro Designer®. A pilot-scale plant was designed with a capacity of 1 metric ton day−1 of food waste with 20 years lifetime. Two scenarios were proposed with different products: Scenario (I) plasticizer & lactic acid, Scenario (II) plasticizer & animal feed. It was found that only Scenario I was economically feasible. The annual net profits, net present value, payback period and internal rate of return were US$ 422,699, US$ 3,028,000, 7.56 years and 18.98%, respectively. Scenario II was not economic viable due to a deficit of US$ 42,632 per year. Sensitivity analysis showed that the price of lactic acid was the largest determinant of the profitability in Scenario I, while the impact of the variables was very close in Scenario II.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume198
Pages (from-to)292 - 299
Number of pages8
ISSN0960-8524
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.12.2015

    Research areas

  • Food waste valorization, Microalgae, Plasticizer, Lactic acid, Animal feed
  • Biology
  • Chemistry