Evaluation of environmental aspects of brew waste-based carbon production and its disposal scenario

Abstract

The piece of work evaluates environmental impacts associated with the lab-scale production of 1 kg activated carbon (AC) as a functional unit from the obtainment of 2.14 kg feedstock. The environmental advantages over lignocellulose-based carbon, particularly in terms of acidification potential, non-renewable energy demand, and carbon footprint were considered. The quantification of environmental interactions over the stages of the life cycle of AC manufacturing chain, in terms of inputs of energy and natural resources and of outputs of emissions to the different environmental compartments, were studied. Drying (99.2%)and impregnation with an H2SO4(0.7%)attribute to major impact categories: carcinogens, respiration organics, respiration inorganics, climate change, radiation, the ozone layer, ecotoxicity, acidification, land use, minerals and fossil fuels. Disposal of AC might not affect the environment. On contrary, the predictions (human health(16.7%), ecosystem quality(0.928%), and resources(74.2%)) indicates that disposal of untreated brew waste might exhibit harmful effects to the environment hence improvements are necessary. In particular, the operations utilizing electricity, heat, natural gas and resources were the main factors causing emission to air, water and soil.