Thermal recovery of organic solid waste by aerobic process: fuel derived from food waste

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n4.p109-118

Keywords:

aerobic biodigestion; food waste; calorific value; solid biofuel.

Abstract

The inadequate disposal of food waste represents an environmental and energy challenge. Pressurized aerobic digestion emerges as an innovative alternative, enabling the reduction of residual mass and the production of biocompost with energy characteristics. In this study, food waste was subjected to controlled aerobic digestion for 14 days, resulting in mass reductions ranging from 60% to 79%. The obtained biocompost was characterized in terms of its physicochemical composition, with carbon content ranging from 37% to 44% and low sulfur content (<0.2%). Thermal analyses (TG/DSC) indicated multiple combustion stages, with a profile favorable for sustained heat generation. The higher heating value (HHV) ranged from 15.46 to 17.47 MJ/kg, values comparable to charcoal and higher than many agricultural-origin biofuels. The results demonstrate the viability of the process as a fast strategy for energy valorization of food waste, with potential to reduce environmental impacts and contribute to the renewable energy matrix. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • FERNANDO PEREIRA DE SÁ, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás

    PhD in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG, 2013), Master’s degree in Physics from the Institute of Physics at UFG (2006), and Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the same institution (2003). He also holds a technical degree in Sanitation from the Federal Center for Technological Education of Goiás (CEFET/GO, 1999). He is currently a Tenured Professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG) – Inhumas Campus, working in the areas of Physics and Chemistry. He leads the Renewable Energy and Environmental Studies Group (GEERA/IFG) and is a member of the Biotechnology and Materials Research Group (BioMatters/IFG) and the Sustainable Agri-Food Chain group (UFG). His experience includes Physics, with an emphasis on Liquid and Solid Structure – Crystallography, as well as work in Materials Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry, developing new materials for water treatment and renewable energy sources. Throughout his career, he has published several articles in high-impact international journals and submitted patents related to aerobic biodigestion processes and the development of biomass pellets. He coordinates funded research projects focused on optimizing combustion systems and enhancing the use of solid waste for energy generation.

  • ELISANGELA CARDOSO DE LIMA BORGES, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goias

    She holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Goiás (1996), a Master's degree in Chemistry in the field of Environmental Biogeochemistry from the Federal University of São Carlos (2000), and a PhD in Chemistry in the area of Analytical Chemistry from São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (2005). She is currently a tenured professor at the Federal Institute of Goiás (IFG) – Inhumas Campus, Goiás, Brazil. She has experience in Chemistry with an emphasis on Environmental Chemistry, Food Chemistry, and Quality Management in laboratories, working mainly on the following topics: classical chemistry, sample preparation, photocatalysis, spectroscopy, experimental design, ISO 17025, and risk management.

References

Araújo, DFC de (2023) “The dynamics of renewable energies in the Brazilian energy matrix in the 21ST century”, Revista Cerrados (Unimontes), 21(01), p. 399–429.

Bertolino, AM et al. (2023) “A matter of energy injustice? A comparative analysis of biogas development in Brazil and Italy”, Energy Research & Social Science, 105, p. 103278. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103278.

Bhat, SA, Singh, J e Vig, AP (2017) “Instrumental characterization of organic wastes for evaluation of vermicompost maturity”, Journal of Analytical Science and Technology, 8(1), p. 2. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-017-0112-2.

Chen, Yaoning et al. (2018) “Application of Fenton pretreatment on the degradation of rice straw by mixed culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Aspergillus niger”, Industrial Crops and Products, 112, p. 290–295. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.12.005.

Franco, DG de B e Steiner, MTA (2022) “Otimização do transporte de resíduos sólidos urbanos no Estado do Paraná: repensando a localização de aterros sanitários com base em modelagem matemática”, Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental, 27, p. 987–993. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-415220210282.

Galavote, T et al. (2023) “Avaliação do efeito do fortalecimento da coleta seletiva nos custos de gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos”, urbe. Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana, 15, p. e20220108. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-3369.015.e20220108.

Gomes, S et al. (2017) “Potencial energético de resíduos sólidos domiciliares do município de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil”, Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental, 22(6), p. 1197–1202. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1413-41522017143432.

Grube, M et al. (2006) “Evaluation of sewage sludge-based compost by FT-IR spectroscopy”, Geoderma, 130(3), p. 324–333. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2005.02.005.

Hagemann, N et al. (2018) “Effect of biochar amendment on compost organic matter composition following aerobic composting of manure”, Science of The Total Environment, 613–614, p. 20–29. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.161.

Ikegwu, UM et al. (2022) “Thermogravimetric properties and degradation kinetics of biomass during its thermochemical conversion process”, Materials Today: Proceedings, 65, p. 2163–2171. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.05.538.

Kong, Y. et al. (2024) “Applicability and limitation of compost maturity evaluation indicators: A review”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 489, p. 151386. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.151386.

Kubovský, I, Kačíková, D e Kačík, F (2020) “Structural Changes of Oak Wood Main Components Caused by Thermal Modification”, Polymers, 12(2), p. 485. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020485.

Kurniawan, TA et al. (2021) “A societal transition of MSW management in Xiamen (China) toward a circular economy through integrated waste recycling and technological digitization”, Environmental Pollution, 277, p. 116741. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116741.

Li, S et al. (2017) “Evaluation of humic substances during co-composting of sewage sludge and corn stalk under different aeration rates”, Bioresource Technology, 245, p. 1299–1302. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.08.177.

Ma, R et al. (2025) “Optimizing organic waste co-composting: Component ratio thresholds for dual enhancement of maturity and gaseous emission reduction”, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 13(5), p. 119053. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.119053.

Mandal, S et al. (2022) “A comparative kinetic study between TGA & DSC techniques using model-free and model-based analyses to assess spontaneous combustion propensity of Indian coals”, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 159, p. 1113–1126. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2022.01.045.

Martín, APS et al. (2023) “Spectroscopy Techniques for Monitoring the Composting Process: A Review”, Agronomy, 13(9), p. 2245. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092245.

Mujtaba, G et al. (2021) “Physio-Chemical Characterization of Biochar, Compost and Co-Composted Biochar Derived from Green Waste”, Sustainability, 13(9), p. 4628. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094628.

Neves, BC das e Lima, EPP (2019) “Condições da prestação dos serviços ambientais de coleta e destinação de resíduos de serviços de saúde em unidades básicas de saúde na cidade de Pelotas, RS, Brasil”, Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental, 24, p. 61–69. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-41522019172729.

Nobre, SB et al. (2021) “Levantamento dos resíduos sólidos gerados no município de Pau Dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte / Survey of solid waste generated in the municipality of Pau Dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte”, Brazilian Journal of Development, 7(6), p. 54056–54075. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv7n6-009.

Nur Aqeela Syuhadah Aji et al. (2021) “Production of food waste compost and its effect on the growth of dwarf crape jasmine”, Jurnal Kejuruteraan, 33(3), p. 413–424. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm-2021-33(3)-04.

Pheakdey, DV et al. (2022) “Challenges and Priorities of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Cambodia”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), p. 8458. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148458.

Pisano, V, Demajorovic, J e Besen, GR (2022) “The Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy: perspectives of the waste pickers’ cooperative networks”, Ambiente & Sociedade, 25, p. e01511. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4422asoc20210151r1FT.

Poornima, S et al. (2024) “Review on advances in toxic pollutants remediation by solid waste composting and vermicomposting”, Scientific African, 23, p. e02100. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02100.

Ravindran, B et al. (2013) “Instrumental evidence for biodegradation of tannery waste during vermicomposting process using Eudrilus eugeniae”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 111(3), p. 1675–1684. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-011-2081-9.

Rico, JJ et al. (2022) “TG/DSC and kinetic parametrization of the combustion of agricultural and forestry residues”, Biomass and Bioenergy, 162, p. 106485. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2022.106485.

Schirmer, WN et al. (2017) “CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE BIOMASSA RESIDUAL DE FÁBRICA DE PAPEL-CARTÃO PARA APROVEITAMENTO ENERGÉTICO”, Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente, 10(4), p. 1113. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.2017v10n4p1113-1132.

Škorjanc, A, Goričanec, D. e Urbancl, D. (2024) “Assessing Energy Potential and Chemical Composition of Food Waste Thermodynamic Conversion Products: A Literature Review”, Energies, 17(8), p. 1897. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081897.

Voběrková, S et al. (2020) “Food waste composting - Is it really so simple as stated in scientific literature? – A case study”, Science of The Total Environment, 723, p. 138202. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138202.

Wei, S, Wei, W e Umut, A (2023) “Do renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and international integration enhance environmental sustainability in Brazil?”, Renewable Energy, 202, p. 172–183. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.11.074.

Wu, Xiaoyan et al. (2021) “Effect of bamboo sphere amendment on the organic matter decomposition and humification of food waste composting”, Waste Management, 133, p. 19–27. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.07.030.

Xu, P et al. (2024) “Microbial agents obtained from tomato straw composting effectively promote tomato straw compost maturation and improve compost quality”, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 270, p. 115884. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115884.

Zago, VCP e Barros, R.T. de V. (2019) “Gestão dos resíduos sólidos orgânicos urbanos no Brasil: do ordenamento jurídico à realidade”, Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental, 24, p. 219–228. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-41522019181376.

Zhou, Y, Selvam, A e Wong, JWC (2014) “Evaluation of humic substances during co-composting of food waste, sawdust and Chinese medicinal herbal residues”, Bioresource Technology, 168, p. 229–234. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.05.070.

Zittel, R et al. (2018) “Composting of smuggled cigarettes tobacco and industrial sewage sludge in reactors: Physicochemical, phytotoxic and spectroscopic study”, Waste Management, 79, p. 537–544. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.08.009.

Downloads

Published

12/24/2025

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Transição Energética

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Latin American Journal of Energy Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

O autor, no ato da submissão do artigo, transfere o direito autoral ao periódico.

How to Cite

PEREIRA DE SÁ, F. and CARDOSO DE LIMA BORGES, E. (2025) “Thermal recovery of organic solid waste by aerobic process: fuel derived from food waste”, Latin American Journal of Energy Research, 12(4), pp. 109–118. doi:10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n4.p109-118.

Similar Articles

11-20 of 37

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.