WASTE BIOMASS VALORIZATION USING SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTED, INTEGRATED BIOREFINERIES: A MODEL TO INFORM TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS AND CLIMATE POLICY

460 pagesWith over 9 million dairy cows in the US, methane emissions from manure management amounted to 62.4 million tons CO2eq in 2019, representing 9% of total US methane emissions. Food waste degradation in landfills represents the third largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions in the US with 100 million tons CO2eq in 2019, accounting for 15% of US methane emissions. Increased number of climate, energy mandates and food waste diversion bans are being enacted across the country in an effort to decarbonize the agriculture and waste sectors. In New York State, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act calls for an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and 70% renewable energy use by 2030. In addition, New York State’s “Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law” requires food waste producers to redirect their wastes from being landfilled. The increased demand for clean energy accelerated by decarbonization and climate goals creates an opportunity for the conversion of waste biomass streams into valuable fuels and chemicals. In this dissertation, we evaluate the use of integrated biorefineries, consisting of anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal liquefaction and biomethanation Power-to-Gas technologies, to convert biomass wastes and recover energy in the form of Renewable Natural Gas, biocrude oil and hydrochar. This dissertation presents a comprehensive model that combines granular waste feedstock data, detailed process modeling and spatial analysis to evaluate the techno-economic and environmental impacts of integrated biorefinery systems. The model can be used as a decision-making tool that informs both optimal biorefinery deployment strategies and climate policy to accelerate technology adoption and enable effective greenhouse gas mitigation