Advances in Waste Treatment, Bioremediation and Decarbonization Research

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2025 | Viewed by 1635

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore 627833, Singapore
2. Singapore Integrative Biosystems and Engineering Research (SIBER), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
Interests: anaerobic and aerobic bioprocesses; decarbonization; gas fermentation; microbial biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As global environmental challenges escalate, the need for effective waste management and decarbonization techniques has become critical. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth have led to increased waste generation and environmental pollution. Traditional waste management practices often fall short, necessitating the development of advanced treatment technologies and biological processing methods.

Anaerobic digestion and aerobic processes convert organic waste into valuable resources like biogas and compost, contributing to waste-to-energy initiatives. Decarbonization, involving the reduction of CO2 emissions through low-carbon technologies, is integral to these processes. By capturing and converting carbon emissions from waste, these technologies lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.

Biodegradation, the breakdown of pollutants into non-toxic compounds by microorganisms, is essential for treating hazardous wastes and emerging contaminants. This process can be enhanced through bioaugmentation and biostimulation strategies. The development of bioplastics and biodegradable materials derived from renewable sources offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, reducing environmental impact.

This Special Issue seeks to bring together original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore the latest advancements in waste treatment and decarbonization strategies. By disseminating innovative research and practical solutions, this Special Issue aims to contribute to global efforts to mitigate environmental pollution and promote sustainable development.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative waste treatment processes and technologies;
  • Advances in anaerobic and aerobic bioprocess optimization and scale-up strategies;
  • Bioaugmentation and biostimulation techniques;
  • Synergies between biochar and microbial activity in waste treatment;
  • Environmental and economic assessments of waste treatment methods;
  • Case studies demonstrating successful waste treatment projects;
  • Microbial biotechnology for decarbonization through gas fermentation;
  • Biodegradation of hazardous waste and emerging contaminants;
  • Development and application of bioplastics and biodegradable materials;
  • Bioremediation of heavy metals and toxic chemicals;
  • Integrated waste management systems and life cycle assessments (LCAs).

Dr. Yong Wei Tiong
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • waste treatment
  • decarbonization
  • anaerobic digestion
  • aerobic composting
  • bioprocess
  • microbial biotechnology
  • gas fermentation
  • bioaugmentation
  • environmental pollution control

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3632 KiB  
Article
Efficiency of Hydrogen Sulfide Removal from Biogas Using a Laboratory-Scale Biofilter Packed with Biochar, Cellular Concrete Waste, or Polyurethane Foam: A COMSOL Simulation Study
by Kamyab Mohammadi, Rasa Vaiškūnaitė and Ausra Zigmontienė
Processes 2025, 13(2), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13020329 - 24 Jan 2025
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Abstract
This study investigated the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from biogas using a laboratory-scale biofilter packed with biochar, cellular concrete waste (CLC waste), or polyurethane foam (PUF). The biofilter was tested under varied operational conditions, including H2S concentrations ranging [...] Read more.
This study investigated the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from biogas using a laboratory-scale biofilter packed with biochar, cellular concrete waste (CLC waste), or polyurethane foam (PUF). The biofilter was tested under varied operational conditions, including H2S concentrations ranging from 60 to 100 ppm and biogas flow rates of 0.2 to 1.0 L/min, to assess the removal efficiency and elimination capacity (EC). The COMSOL simulation framework was employed to predict biofilter performance and validate the experimental findings. The results revealed that removal efficiencies (REs) varied significantly across the packing materials and operational conditions. The biochar achieved RE values exceeding 92% and an EC of up to 150 g H2S/m3/h, while the CLC waste demonstrated a moderate RE (~75%) and an EC of 100 g H2S/m3/h. The PUF exhibited the lowest RE (~48%) but provided structural support for microbial colonization. Notably, the outlet (fourth and fifth) stages of the biofilter consistently outperformed the inlet stages (bottom and first stages), highlighting the influence of the residence time and microbial activity on H2S removal. These findings provide a foundation for optimizing biofilter design and operational parameters to improve biogas purification efficiency. Full article
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Review

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15 pages, 904 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Valorization of Plant Residues Through Enzymatic Hydrolysis for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: Applications as Functional Ingredients in Cosmetics
by Bruna M. Saorin Puton, Carolina E. Demaman Oro, Julia Lisboa Bernardi, Diana Exenberger Finkler, Luciana D. Venquiaruto, Rogério Marcos Dallago and Marcus V. Tres
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051314 - 25 Apr 2025
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly cosmetic products has driven innovations using plant residues as raw materials for high-value-added applications. This study focuses on the enzymatic hydrolysis of plant residues to extract bioactive compounds, with the potential for application as functional [...] Read more.
The growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly cosmetic products has driven innovations using plant residues as raw materials for high-value-added applications. This study focuses on the enzymatic hydrolysis of plant residues to extract bioactive compounds, with the potential for application as functional ingredients in cosmetics. Enzymatic processes are highlighted for their ability to optimize extraction, preserving the bioactivity of the compounds while significantly reducing the environmental footprint compared to conventional resource-intensive methods. This work emphasizes scientific articles that incorporate the principles of the circular economy, promoting the reuse of solid waste and mitigating the need to extract new natural resources. The valorization of waste through advanced biotechnological technologies addresses critical environmental challenges and offers innovative solutions that transform agro-industrial by-products into high-value inputs for the cosmetic industry. The results presented reinforce this approach’s feasibility and positive impact, promoting economic and environmental benefits. This study highlights the transformative role of enzymatic hydrolysis in the transition toward a more sustainable, efficient cosmetics industry integrated with global decarbonization goals. Full article
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