Techno-Economic Assessment of Biorefinery Scenarios Based on Mollusc and Fish Residuals

Abstract

Biorefineries aim to maximise resource recovery from organic sources that have been traditionally considered wastes. In this respect, leftovers from mollusc and seafood processing industries can be a source of multiple bio-products such as protein hydrolysates, calcium carbonate and co-composted biochar (COMBI). This study aims to evaluate different scenarios of biorefineries fed by mollusc and fish wastes to understand which one is the most convenient to maximise their profitability. Results showed that the FW-based biorefinery obtained the highest benefits with respect to the amounts of waste treated. However, including MW in the biorefinery showed to increase total income as more feedstocks could be supplied to the system. The profitability of the biorefineries was mainly dependent on the selling price of hydrolysates, which highlights the importance of producing high-quality PH to increase their added value. The payment for waste disposal was another relevant income when only MW was treated.

Keywords: biofertiliser, Biorefinery, fish waste, mollusc waste, techno-economic assessment