26 April 2024 | Jean de Dieu Marcel Uftikirezi, Martin Filip, Mohammad Ghorbani, Tomáš Zoubek, Pavel Olšan, Roman Bumbálek, Miroslav Strob, Petr Bartoš, Sandra Nicole Umurungi, Yves Theoneste Murindangabo, Aleš Heřmánek, Ondřej Tupý, Zbyněk Havelka, Radim Stehlík, Pavel Černý, Luboš Smutný
Agricultural waste valorization is a critical approach to sustainable energy production, converting agricultural residues into bioenergy resources while reducing environmental impact. This review explores biochemical and thermochemical technologies for converting agricultural waste into bioenergy, including biogas, bio-oil, and biofuel. It highlights the potential of these technologies to meet energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Challenges include optimizing conversion rates, minimizing energy consumption, and improving the quality of output. The review emphasizes the need for further research, including life cycle assessments, net energy ratio calculations, and techno-economic analyses, to evaluate the sustainability and efficiency of these technologies. It also underscores the importance of collaboration among governments, farmers, and researchers, as well as the integration of advanced technologies to enhance conversion efficiency and product quality. Agricultural waste, rich in organic matter and bioactive compounds, can be recycled or recovered through various methods, such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and fermentation, to produce energy, fertilizers, and other valuable products. Thermochemical processes like pyrolysis, gasification, and torrefaction are also discussed, highlighting their roles in converting biomass into fuels with higher heating values. The review concludes that sustainable agricultural waste valorization is essential for a circular economy, reducing environmental pollution, improving resource efficiency, and supporting a more sustainable agricultural sector.Agricultural waste valorization is a critical approach to sustainable energy production, converting agricultural residues into bioenergy resources while reducing environmental impact. This review explores biochemical and thermochemical technologies for converting agricultural waste into bioenergy, including biogas, bio-oil, and biofuel. It highlights the potential of these technologies to meet energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Challenges include optimizing conversion rates, minimizing energy consumption, and improving the quality of output. The review emphasizes the need for further research, including life cycle assessments, net energy ratio calculations, and techno-economic analyses, to evaluate the sustainability and efficiency of these technologies. It also underscores the importance of collaboration among governments, farmers, and researchers, as well as the integration of advanced technologies to enhance conversion efficiency and product quality. Agricultural waste, rich in organic matter and bioactive compounds, can be recycled or recovered through various methods, such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and fermentation, to produce energy, fertilizers, and other valuable products. Thermochemical processes like pyrolysis, gasification, and torrefaction are also discussed, highlighting their roles in converting biomass into fuels with higher heating values. The review concludes that sustainable agricultural waste valorization is essential for a circular economy, reducing environmental pollution, improving resource efficiency, and supporting a more sustainable agricultural sector.