Overcoming microplastics induced inhibition on waste-to-energy conversion

Project Member(s): Wei, W.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)
Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2022

Summary: This project aims to develop an innovative technology and the underpinning science to achieve stable and efficient mitigation of emerging microplastics induced inhibition that is becoming a key barrier hindering waste-toenergy conversion in anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a low-cost technology widely used to divert sewage sludge to renewable energy production. However, the increasing levels of microplastics captured in sludge leads to low methane yield and process failure due to their small size and specific characteristics. The outcome of the project will remove the emerging barrier to enhance energy recovery that can be applied in existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure for addressing Australia’s increasing energy demand.

Publications:

Bao, T, Damtie, MM, Wang, CY, Chen, Z, Tao, Q, Wei, W, Cho, K, Yuan, P, Frost, RL & Ni, B-J 2024, 'Comprehensive review of modified clay minerals for phosphate management and future prospects', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 447, pp. 141425-141425.
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Chen, Z, Han, N, Wei, W, Chu, D & Ni, B 2024, 'Dual doping: An emerging strategy to construct efficient metal catalysts for water electrolysis', EcoEnergy, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 114-140.
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Chen, Z, Ma, T, Wei, W, Wong, W, Zhao, C & Ni, B 2024, 'Work Function‐Guided Electrocatalyst Design', Advanced Materials, vol. 36, no. 29.
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Shi, X, Chen, Z, Wei, W & Ni, B-J 2024, 'Perspectives on sustainable plastic treatment: A shift from linear to circular economy', TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, vol. 173, pp. 117631-117631.
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Wang, G, Chen, Z, Wei, W & Ni, B 2024, 'Electrocatalysis‐driven sustainable plastic waste upcycling', Electron, vol. 2, no. 2.
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Yang, F-A, Hou, Y-N, Cao, C, Huang, C, Shen, S, Ren, N, Wang, A-J, Guo, J, Wei, W & Ni, B-J 2024, 'Electroactive properties of EABs in response to long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics/nanoplastics and the underlying adaptive mechanisms', Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 465, pp. 133438-133438.
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FOR Codes: Biofuel energy, Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.