Mitigation strategies in the agro-food sector: The anaerobic digestion of tomato purée by-products. An Italian case study.

摘要: Tomato processing involves a significant production of residues, mainly constituted by discarded tomatoes, skins, seeds and pulp. Often, these residues are not valorized represent an added cost for manufacturing companies because disposal processes, with environmental issues due to the difficult management. The exploitation residual materials results complex as their availability is concentrated in few months. A possible solution biogas employed Combine Heat Power engine energy production, line 2020 targets European Union terms promotion from renewable resources greenhouse gas emission reduction. tomato by-product utilization strategy reduce load puree was evaluated means Life Cycle Assessment. Two scenarios were considered: Baseline Scenario - by-products sent back fields organic fertilizers; Alternative nearby plant production. Methane assessed specific laboratory tests. comparison between two highlighted reductions all impact categories Scenario. most important related particulate matter (-5.3%), climate change (-6.4%) ozone depletion (-13.4%). Although small, reduction cannot be neglected; example change, anaerobic digestion allows saving GHG emissions that, over whole year, equal 1.567 tons CO2 eq. this study could up-scaled food industries high heat demand producing considerable amounts fermentable employable feedstock