Hans Schnitzer

Process optimization for efficient biomediated PHA production from animal-based waste streams.

Conventional polymers are made of crude oil components through chemical polymerization. The aim of the project ANIMPOL is to produce biopolymers by converting lipids into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in a novel process scheme to reduce dependence on crude oil and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. PHA constitutes a group of biobased and biodegradable polyesters that may substitute fossil-based polymers in a wide range of applications. Waste streams from slaughtering cattle are used as substrate material. Lipids from rendering are used in this process scheme for biodiesel production. Slaughtering waste streams may also be hydrolyzed to achieve higher lipid yield. Biodiesel then is separated into a high- and low-quality fraction. High-quality biodiesel meets requirements for sale as fuel and low quality is used for PHA production as carbon source. Selected offal material is used for acid hydrolysis and serves as a source of organic nitrogen as well as carbon source for PHA-free biomass with high production rate in fermentation process. Nitrogen is a limiting factor to control PHA production during the fermentation process. It is available for bacterial growth from hydrolyzed waste streams as well as added separately as NH4OH solution. Selected microbial strains are used to produce PHA from this substrate. The focus of the paper is about an overview of the whole process with the main focus on hydrolysis, to look for the possibility of using offal hydrolysis as an organic nitrogen substitute. The process design is optimized by minimizing waste streams and energy losses through cleaner production. Ecological evaluation of the process design will be done through footprint calculation according to Sustainable Process Index methodology.

Low pressure catalytic co-conversion of biogenic waste (rapeseed cake) and vegetable oil

Zeolite catalysts of three types (H-ZSM-5, Fe-ZSM-5 and H-Beta) were tested in the catalytic co-conversion of rapeseed cake and safflower oil into bio-fuel. This low pressure process was carried out at the temperatures of 350 and 400 degrees Celsius. The yields and compositions of the product mixtures depended on the catalyst nature and the process temperatures. The produced organic phases consisted mainly of hydrocarbons, fatty acids and nitriles. This mixture possessed improved characteristics (e.g. heating value, water content, density, viscosity, pH) compared with the bio-oils, making possible its application as a bio-fuel. The most effective catalyst, providing the highest yield of organic liquid phase, was the highly acidic/wide-pore H-Beta zeolite. The products obtained on this catalyst demonstrated the highest degree of deoxygenation and the higher HHV (Higher Heating Value). The aqueous liquid phase contained water-soluble carboxylic acids, phenols and heterocyclic compounds.

A techno–economic approach to link waste minimization technologies with the reduction of corporate environmental costs: effects on the resource and energy efficiency of production

Abstract In recent years, the authors have performed a number of case studies and training programmes in companies of different sizes and branches, with the goal of reducing wastes and emissions economically. From this work a systematic approach has been developed that allows co-operation with technicians and economists within one programme, towards the same goals, but using their own language. Ascertaining and allocating costs correctly makes it possible to work out waste minimization technologies that influence those cost categories where the best results can be obtained. The checklist included (Appendix) can be used for projects.

Energy Transition in Austria: Designing Mitigation Wedges

EU climate and energy policy defines ambitious objectives for the Member States, requiring a fundamental change in energy systems. In an interdisciplinary approach, starting with welfare-generating energy services instead of energy flows, we analyse restructuring options for the Austrian energy system. We extend the concept of stabilization wedges by Pacala and Socolow and integrate technological and behavioural options into a structural energy model, complemented by an economic evaluation in an input-output analysis. We apply the energy service based approach to a transformation of the Austrian energy system that meets the EU 2020 emission targets. We estimate that this would require on average additional investment of about 6 billion € p.a. over a twelve year period. This investment allows to tap savings in operating costs (predominantly energy costs) of up to 4.3 billion € at the end of the period, when using a conservative assumption of non-rising energy prices.

How coffee-making can help one understand cleaner production

Abstract Cleaner production works. This has been proved by numerous case studies over the last few years in Austria1–4, as well as in the USA, Sweden, the UK and The Netherlands. Programs such as PREPARE in Austria, the US-American EPAs 33 50 program, the Landskrona Project in Sweden, the Aire and Calder Project in the UK and PRISMA in The Netherlands have demonstrated that in all sectors of industry it is possible to increase efficiency in the use of materials and energy in industrial processes and at the same time avoid waste and emissions at their source and save companies—sometimes enormous amounts of—money. The cities of Graz and Stenum have developed the program Okoprofit (Ecoprofit)3, which aims to provide a cost-effective way of involving regional enterprises in a Cleaner Production Project. The approach consists basically of two arms: (1) nine 1-day workshops to give feedback on the progress of the companies, to teach basics of emission prevention, project management and law; (2) consultations with individual companies to help them with specific problems, between the workshops. The teaching sessions during the workshops consist of a short lecture followed by active work in small groups on examples, presentation of the results, a discussion of the findings and the possibilities of applying them to the actual companies of the participants. In one workshop, participants analyse the coffee-making process for its potential to minimize emissions; in another, they analyse it for its energy-saving potential. This article describes how these two interactive training modules for mass-flow analysis and energy analysis are conducted.

Waste minimization and its ecological evaluation A case study in printed circuit board manufacture

Abstract The printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers face several problems regarding the waste they generate. In Austria, a detailed study for waste minimization was carried out with three PCB manufacturers and one electroplating company. In this project a lot of ecologically and economically effective options were found and implemented. The ecological evaluation of processes is still an unsolved problem. Several evaluation models are tested on selected processes of the project.

Technology Wedges for Low Carbon-Strategies in Industry

The paper deals with the application of technology wedges in industry for the reduction of greenhouse gases. According to the needs defined by energy services in industry, four wedges are defined: cogeneration, process intensification and heat integration, renewable energy and passive house standard for production halls. With these technologies, industry could cover its part in meeting international emission goals while making economical investments. Such a reduction of the dependency of industry from external energy sources is a substantial contribution to safety issues in nations and regions.

Energy Concepts for Smart Cities

Cities will be the power plants of the future. More than 50 % of the world’s populations live in cities, about 65 % of the resources are used in cities, and 70 % of the emissions are caused by cities. And more and more people move to cities. It is obvious therefore that the transition to sustainable energy systems has to start there. So far, cities are supplied by energy from outside. Any kind of power plants and refineries are situated far from the largest consumer. This system is expensive and volatile. If one discusses the possibilities of energy transition in urban areas, the reduction of the energy demand has to be considered at first. It is not mainly technologies that have to be developed, but also systems. These systems require that distances have to be short, in order to minimize the energy needed for transportation. More than this, houses have to be energy effective (minimum of heating and cooling is required). As a second step, renewable energies have to be harvested onsite. Solar systems on roofs and facades go hand in hand with integrated small-scale wind turbines. The development of smart energy grids for power and heat/cold including storage facilities will be one of the main system-related challenges.

Practical experiences with reducing industrial use of water and chemicals in the galvanising industry

While ‘Soft’ factors, like employee training, experience and work instructions can significantly reduce the consumption of water and chemicals by galvanising companies, further significant improvements can be achieved by technical measures. This article demonstrates that the reduction of water and chemicals use can yield significant financial benefits to a company, without compromising product quality or productivity.

Raw Material Management as a First Step Towards Sustainability

The recent discussion about a Sustainable Development forced researchers and production managers to rethink this problem and to search for solutions. As a key finding, one can say that the effective use of materials together with the choice of renewable raw materials is a serious step towards Sustainability. ECO-Efficiency turned out to be one of the keywords in the projects. Eco — meaning economy and ecology — and efficiency in the meaning of conversion of as much of the raw materials into products as possible provide both: environmental and economical advantages.