Comprehensive analysis of BSY as a biomass for potential energy resource recovery

Beer is one of the most consumed beverages in the globe reaching an average consumption of 23L per person per year. This makes brewing industry one of the leading economic contributors to most countries. Large amount of organic waste that pollute the environment are produced in beer making processes. The brewing by-products may reach 3%-30% of the volume of beer produced. The management and disposal of the by-products represent a significant cost for the brewery industry and a great concern for a sustainable brewery operation. There is need to resolve the waste management and environmental issues associated with this process using innovative, symbiosis and circular economy approach. Bio-circular models increase the need for resource conservation and waste beneficiation. This study explored the use of brewery spent yeast for energy production under anaerobic digestion and to evaluate its suitability as biomass for energy resource recovery with the potential to shift the brewery sector from the linear to the circular economy practice. Waste quantification, characterisation, and waste to energy conversion through biomethane potential test with AMPTS 11 set-up were investigated. It was observed that the brewery spent yeast had good proximate and ultimate results with the optimum biomethane yield obtained at 304,75 Nml. It was established that the brewery spent yeast offered a high prospect as a biomass and for the future energy mix with potential to contribution to sustainable circular economy business model. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

Beer is widely consumed globally and the brewing industry contributes significantly to the economy. However, the production of beer results in a large amount of organic waste, which poses environmental challenges and costs for waste management. This study explores the use of brewery spent yeast for energy production and evaluates its potential as biomass for energy resource recovery, aiming to shift the brewing sector towards a circular economy practice.