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Feedstock Characterization for Enhanced Heat Recovery from Composting Processes: A Review

Compost Heat Recovery Systems (CHRS) offer a sustainable way to capture heat from decomposing organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. This review examines how different types of waste—plant-based, animal-derived, and non-agricultural—impact the efficiency of these systems. By analyzing 244 studies published between 1996 and 2023, researchers evaluated feedstocks based on properties like carbon-nitrogen ratio, moisture, and energy potential.

The findings reveal that animal-based materials, rich in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, support rapid microbial growth and stable heat production. In contrast, with high lignin and volatile solid content, plant-based materials decompose more slowly but provide a steady, prolonged heat release.

Al-Twal, K.O.F.; Beggio, G.; Schiavon, M.; Lavagnolo, M.C. Feedstock Characterization for Enhanced Heat Recovery from Composting Processes: A Review. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 11245. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311245

Effect of Substrate Size Reduction and Periodic Nutrient Supplementation on Biological Wood Oxidation

This study explores how optimizing wood particle size and using nutrient supplements can enhance Biological Wood Oxidation (BWO), a heat recovery system that converts woody biomass into sustainable heat. Fine sawdust combined with periodic nutrient addition, especially human urine, significantly boosts heat generation, oxygen consumption, and wood decomposition, outperforming larger wood particles. Despite the energy needed for grinding, the method yields up to 10 times more heat, making it an efficient strategy for renewable energy.

The research highlights the potential for BWO to contribute to sustainable heat solutions, with suggestions for further optimization in larger-scale applications.

Anran Li, Virginia Natonek, Gijs van Erven, Cees J.N. Buisman, Wei-Shan Chen (2024). Effect of substrate size reduction and periodic nutrient supplementation on biological wood oxidation. In Journal of Environmental Management (Vol. 370, p. 123012). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123012

TEAPOTS: Agriculture Waste Pyrolysis and Thermocomposting for Renewable Energy in Sustainable Agri-Food Sector

This article is dedicated to the TEAPOTS project’s goal of sustainable conversion of agricultural waste into heat, electricity, and biochar through innovative pyrolysis and compost heat recovery systems. The project aids farms in achieving energy self-sufficiency by using seasonal and modular technologies tailored for various climates. By combining renewable energy and biochar reuse, TEAPOTS supports EU goals for reducing agricultural emissions and fostering circular resource management.

Tatakova A.; Kolackova I. TEAPOTS: Agriculture Waste Pyrolysis and Thermocomposting for Renewable Energy in Sustainable Agri-Food Sector. European Energy Innovation Magazine, Prologue Media Ltd, ISSN 3049 – 5431.

A systematic review on the potential of agro-industrial waste for pyrolysis: feedstocks properties and their impact on biochar and pyrolysis gas composition 

The article explores the potential of converting agro-industrial waste, such as tree pruning, nutshells, crop residues, and pomace, into valuable products through pyrolysis. By reviewing existing literature from the Scopus database, the study evaluates the energy content and suitability of these feedstocks for producing biochar and pyrolysis gas. The findings highlight pruning and nutshells as the most promising materials, with high energy yields and favorable properties for environmental applications such as pollutant adsorption and soil improvement. This research offers practical insights for farmers and agri-food businesses seeking sustainable ways to valorise agricultural waste locally.

Gohar, H., Beggio, G., Schiavon, M., & Lavagnolo, M. C. (2025). A systematic review on the potential of agro-industrial waste for pyrolysis: feedstocks properties and their impact on biochar and pyrolysis gas composition. Biomass and Bioenergy, 200, 108047. 

Characterization of Feedstocks for the Optimization of Energy Recovery from Composting: A Review for the Teapots Project

The recovery of thermal energy from composting processes can be achieved through Compost Heat Recovery Systems (CHRSs), with the composition of the waste mixture playing a crucial role. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the suitability of waste biomass, focusing on plant-based and animal-based materials.

Plant-based materials are more suitable for long-term heat production due to slower degradation, while animal-based materials produce more heat in a shorter time. Biochar addition and balanced mixtures of plant and animal biomass can enhance heat production and microbial activity.

The findings support the Horizon Europe project (TEAPOTS), which seeks to help farms locally utilize residual biomass from the agri-food sector.

© Venice 2024: 10th International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste

Al-Twal, K.O.F.; Beggio, G.; Grossule V., Sandon A.; Schiavon M.; Lavagnolo, M.C. Characterization of Feedstocks for the Optimization of Energy Recovery from Composting: A Review for the Teapots Project.VENICE 2024 – 10th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ENERGY FROM BIOMASS AND WASTE, ISBN: 9788862650458.

Agricultural Waste Pyrolysis and Thermocomposting for Renewable Energy in a Sustainable Agri-food Sector: The TEAPOTS project

The agri-food sector is responsible for the production of relatively high amounts of residual biomass, often difficult to valorise from the energetic point of view with anaerobic digestion. For this reason, such residual biomass is usually burnt on the field in an uncontrolled way, with no energy recovery and generating emissions of air pollutants.

The TEAPOTS European Horizon project aims to provide small farms with a flexible solution to map the available biomass residues and locally valorize different residual biomass types (including lignocellulosic residues) through pyrolysis and compost heat recovery systems. This way, farmers can produce and use renewable energy to cover their heating, cooling and electricity needs over the year and reduce the carbon footprint of the agri-food sector.

Marco Schiavon, Giovanni Beggio, Giuseppe Concheri, Valentina Grossule, Annalisa Sandon, Andrea Squartini, Maria Cristina Lavagnolo. (2024). AGRICULTURAL WASTE PYROLYSIS AND THERMOCOMPOSTING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN A SUSTAINABLE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR: THE TEAPOTS PROJECT. SUM 2024: 7th Symposium on Circular Economy and Urban Mining. CISA.

Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Assessment of Vineyard Pruning Residues for Bioenergy and Biochar Production

Biochar offers valuable benefits for soil health, particularly when produced through pyrolysis—a biomass conversion process that transforms lignocellulosic residues into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. This study investigates the potential of vineyard pruning biomass from two pilot sites in Italy and Greece for sustainable energy and biochar production. 

Using remote sensing and GIS mapping, researchers assessed the availability of biomass, revealing that vineyard prunings alone are insufficient to meet local biochar demand. However, fast pyrolysis proved effective for energy generation in both cases. 

The results support the TEAPOTS project, highlighting the pyrolysis process as a promising solution for sustainable agricultural practices in the wine sector and the local valorisation of pruning waste.

F. D'Acunto, F. Marinello, F. Iodice and A. Pezzuolo, "Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Assessment of Vineyard Pruning Residues for Bioenergy and Biochar Production," 2024 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry (MetroAgriFor), Padua, Italy, 2024, pp. 489-494, doi: 10.1109/MetroAgriFor63043.2024.10948788. 

TEAPOTS Survey Explores Farmers’ Waste Practices

As part of the TEAPOTS project, surveys were conducted in Germany, Greece, and Italy to gain insights into farmers’ current waste management practices and challenges.

The study aimed to understand how agricultural waste is handled today and to assess farmers’ views on an innovative technology being developed by TEAPOTS—an integrated system that transforms waste into renewable energy (heat, cold, and electricity) while also producing valuable byproducts like compost and biochar.

The findings highlight both the opportunities and barriers to adopting this sustainable solution in the agricultural sector.

DGS highlights their role in TEAPOTS project

Our project partner DGS has published a press release on their official website introducing their involvement in the TEAPOTS project. 

In the article, DGS describes the project’s main objectives, its contribution to the circular economy, and how innovative digital technologies and process optimization are being applied to transform agricultural residues into valuable resources. The release also outlines DGS’s expertise in digital transformation and data analysis, and how these capabilities support the development of sustainable industrial solutions within TEAPOTS.

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