Title:
Management of Pruning Residues for Both Renewable Energy and Soil Fertility: a Win-Win Solution in a Mediterranean Olive Farm
Author(s):
Libutti, A., Garofalo, P., Rovas, D., Zabaniotou, A., Monteleone, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Agricultural residues and wastes from agro-industrial processes represent a suitable feedstock for energy conversion. At the same time, they can play a role in preserving soil fertility, also contributing to soil carbon sequestration. Therefore, a trade-off between the two targets should be achieved. The aim of this paper was to analyse a very representative case study applied to an olive farm, also operating a milling facility for the production of “extra-virgin” olive oil. The implementation of a small-scale pyrolysis plant can be the key to rearrange and innovate the management of the entire farm. A detailed flow analysis of the mass and energy throughout the whole system (from the olive-grove to the olive-mill, and backwards) was carried out, in order to account for the energy potentially generated and consumed, as well as for the degree of energy autonomy actually reached. The set-up of a closed-loop productive system is just one of a wide range of other positive objectives that this paper has recognized and discussed. Important economic, environmental and social improvements are related to this simple innovation, suggesting a turnkey solution in the practical implementation of “sustainability”.
Keywords:
agricultural residues, energy balance, mass flow analysis, pyrolysis, soil fertility, biochar
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Resource efficient bioeconomy
Event:
22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4BV.1.28
Pages:
1606 - 1612
ISBN:
978-88-89407-52-3
Paper DOI:
10.5071/22ndEUBCE2014-4BV.1.28
Price:
FREE
