Turning Coffee Waste into Clean Energy: Tokyo Study Highlights Biomass Potential with Manganese Catalysts

October 15, 2024
Turning Coffee Waste into Clean Energy: Tokyo Study Highlights Biomass Potential with Manganese Catalysts
  • The rising demand for sustainable energy has sparked interest in biomass, particularly spent coffee grounds (SCGs), which are increasingly recognized as a renewable resource.

  • Valorizing SCGs through thermochemical processes like gasification provides a viable waste-to-energy conversion pathway.

  • The gas yields of carbon monoxide and methane varied significantly depending on the type of catalyst used and the temperature, highlighting the importance of optimizing conditions for effective biomass conversion.

  • Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that different catalysts significantly influenced the thermal decomposition behavior of SCGs, ultimately enhancing gasification efficiency.

  • This research contributes to sustainable waste management by valorizing SCGs and biochar, aligning with circular economy principles.

  • The necessity of using organic materials for soil improvement is underscored by the significant soil pollution challenges faced in China.

  • Results indicate that GWC application significantly enhances soil quality by reducing bulk density and increasing levels of organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium.

  • For gasification experiments, spent coffee grounds were collected from local restaurants in Tokyo and dried, with tests conducted at temperatures of 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C.

  • Metal oxide catalysts, including nickel oxide, manganese oxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide, were selected for their catalytic properties to enhance the gasification process.

  • The study also investigates the impact of green waste compost (GWC) on soil nutrient conditions, aiming to reduce environmental pollution and improve soil productivity.

  • Among the catalysts tested, manganese exhibited the highest catalytic activity at 1000 °C, followed by iron, while aluminum and nickel were less effective.

  • Additionally, the production of bio-nutrients from SCGs and biochar through composting has shown positive effects on the growth of garden cress and spinach.

Summary based on 4 sources


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