Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Decarbonisation of Whiskey Distilleries in a Circular Economy: Investigating Novel Anaerobic Digestion Systems for Valorisation of Waste Streams

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

Large industry in Ireland must decarbonise their processes. As part of their corporate social responsibility, industry must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilise renewable energy sources. Ireland has an established and prominent whiskey industry; it is imperative that circular economy strategies are implemented where the wastes products generated are used as a resource. Anaerobic digestion is a pathway to achieving a circular economy for distillers by offering a means of valorising the whiskey co-products (wastes) generated onsite. A novel two-phase anaerobic digester system termed Leachbed reactor with Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (LBR-UASB) is proposed to generate both biogas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from existing waste streams. VFAs are of particular interest as they have a broad range of applications such as to produce platform chemicals which are currently dominated by petrochemical processes. Biogas can be upgraded to biomethane equivalent to natural gas and be injected to the national gas grid or used as a transport fuel in natural gas vehicles. The aim of this project is to establish an optimal configuration for the LBR-UASB that is both sustainable (reducing greenhouse gas emissions onsite) and of economic benefit to the distillery. This may be a demand-driven approach, generating energy at times of high demand and VFAs when the demand for energy is low, to increase economic viability. This analysis will be undertaken by several experimental trials in the laboratory to establish the maximum yields of VFAs and biogas. Furthermore, a techno-economic analysis and lifecycle assessment will be carried out for the whiskey distillery. Establishing the energy recovery, the environment impact, and the techno-economic performance of such a novel system in industry can facilitate decarbonisation and promote circular economy approaches. The research impacts include the promotion of renewable technologies, the production of sustainable, renewable fuels and products, and climate mitigation.

Grant Approved

�82,500

Research Hub

Climate related research

Research Theme

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Start Date

01/09/2021

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/08/2024