• Energy Research

Olive pomace is an interesting agro-industrial byproduct that can be a potential raw material for densified biomass products. At first, 2-phase (2 PH) and 3-phase (3 PH) olive pomace pellets were analyzed in order to evaluate their quality in terms of the main parameters required by the European Standard EN 17225-6. The characterization of the pure pellets has shown important problems because of out of limits values of nitrogen, durability and copper in the two olive pomace. To improve the properties of olive pomace pellets, the possibility of manufacturing pellets by mixing olive pomace and olive tree pruning (PR) was investigated. Several blends at different weight ratios were analyzed in order to verify the effect of mixing on the pellet properties. It can be concluded that the physical properties of all mixtures are in compliance with the requirements of the standard. In particular, two best blends in terms of physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics were identified as becoming potential fuel for combustion and gasification applications: 75PR252 PH (75% pruning and 25% 2-phase pomace) and 50PR503 PH (50% pruning and 50% 3-phase pomace).

Olive pomace is an interesting agro-industrial byproduct that can be a potential raw material for densified biomass products. At first, 2-phase (2 PH) and 3-phase (3 PH) olive pomace pellets were analyzed in order to evaluate their quality in terms of the main parameters required by the European Standard EN 17225-6. The characterization of the pure pellets has shown important problems because of out of limits values of nitrogen, durability and copper in the two olive pomace. To improve the properties of olive pomace pellets, the possibility of manufacturing pellets by mixing olive pomace and olive tree pruning (PR) was investigated. Several blends at different weight ratios were analyzed in order to verify the effect of mixing on the pellet properties. It can be concluded that the physical properties of all mixtures are in compliance with the requirements of the standard. In particular, two best blends in terms of physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics were identified as becoming potential fuel for combustion and gasification applications: 75PR252 PH (75% pruning and 25% 2-phase pomace) and 50PR503 PH (50% pruning and 50% 3-phase pomace).

CROPCHANGE is a public collaborative project involving 6 partners, from 3 European (Spain, Italy and Germany) and 2 Latin American (Brazil and Chile) countries, with the aim of developing new tools and strategies of adaptability and resilient species that can successfully meet the climate change (CC) scenario. Research on Mediterranean and Latin American agricultural, forestry and landscape biodiversity will allow sustainable management of natural resources to preserve ecosystems. This will be carried out through the following specific objectives: i) to analyze climate change and its impacts on the different ecosystems and livelihoods of the population affected (socio­ecological system), ii) to promote sustainable management of agricultural, forestry and landscape biodiversity, which allows the identification (characterization, multiplication and recovery) of resilient species and cultivars to arid and semi­arid climates and whose exploitation can be beneficial in economic and sustainability for local communities in different countries, iii) to improve irrigation and water use efficiency in a wide range of Mediterranean and Latin American agro­ecosystems through sustainable management of irrigation and cultural practices, iv) to increase capacity building among farmers and technicians to adapt local communities to CC, and v) to compare the socio­ecological systems of the four studied regions: Petorca Province, Sao Paulo Province, Campania Region and Murcia Region to share knowledge and develop best practices. The cooperative research will lead to a detailed understanding of the impact of CC on agriculture, forestry and landscape ecosystems and the identification of the strategies of the different species to adapt to climate variability in the four studied areas where water scarcity induced by CC and management problems is a reality. In addition, the results might be extrapolated to similar ecosystems with similar challenges. Socio­economic and environmental benefits will be obtained in health and quality of life of citizens due to the adoption of strategies to increase the resilience of ecosystems. Also, a cooperative framework to facilitate the participation of new activities (coordination activities, R+D+i projects) will be encouraged, facilitating and promoting scientific and technological interaction beyond the initial support ERANet­LAC.

CROPCHANGE is a public collaborative project involving 6 partners, from 3 European (Spain, Italy and Germany) and 2 Latin American (Brazil and Chile) countries, with the aim of developing new tools and strategies of adaptability and resilient species that can successfully meet the climate change (CC) scenario. Research on Mediterranean and Latin American agricultural, forestry and landscape biodiversity will allow sustainable management of natural resources to preserve ecosystems. This will be carried out through the following specific objectives: i) to analyze climate change and its impacts on the different ecosystems and livelihoods of the population affected (socio­ecological system), ii) to promote sustainable management of agricultural, forestry and landscape biodiversity, which allows the identification (characterization, multiplication and recovery) of resilient species and cultivars to arid and semi­arid climates and whose exploitation can be beneficial in economic and sustainability for local communities in different countries, iii) to improve irrigation and water use efficiency in a wide range of Mediterranean and Latin American agro­ecosystems through sustainable management of irrigation and cultural practices, iv) to increase capacity building among farmers and technicians to adapt local communities to CC, and v) to compare the socio­ecological systems of the four studied regions: Petorca Province, Sao Paulo Province, Campania Region and Murcia Region to share knowledge and develop best practices. The cooperative research will lead to a detailed understanding of the impact of CC on agriculture, forestry and landscape ecosystems and the identification of the strategies of the different species to adapt to climate variability in the four studied areas where water scarcity induced by CC and management problems is a reality. In addition, the results might be extrapolated to similar ecosystems with similar challenges. Socio­economic and environmental benefits will be obtained in health and quality of life of citizens due to the adoption of strategies to increase the resilience of ecosystems. Also, a cooperative framework to facilitate the participation of new activities (coordination activities, R+D+i projects) will be encouraged, facilitating and promoting scientific and technological interaction beyond the initial support ERANet­LAC.

Purpose In Italy, composting olive mill waste has become a common practice, since it mitigates the environmental problems associated with spreading the waste on land. Compost can be used to prepare growth media for plant nursery cultivation as a substitute for peat, a non-renewable resource whose extraction has long raised environmental concerns. Here, we investigate two common composting procedures--open windrow and static-pile in gas-permeable bags--and compare them to evaluate their environmental impact. Methods We perform a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The LCA considers carbon storage in the soil after 100 years, fugitive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the impacts avoided by substituting for peat. We use cumulative energy demand, global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential, and eutrophication potential indicators in a contribution analysis and explore how the re-use of olive pits for energy production and reduction of commercial fertilizers improves the environmental balance. We also present a scenario analysis that indicates how parameter fluctuations affect the results. Results and discussion Our study shows that peat's impacts can be significantly reduced from 1162.3 to 96.3 kg CO2-eq/Mg for open windrow compost or 43.1 kg CO2-eq/Mg for static-pile compost in gas-permeable bags. For static-pile composting, the lack of volatile organic compound and ammonia emissions and the detection of oxygen concentrations above 12% vol. suggest fully aerobic conditions. Fugitive greenhouse gas emissions were the most important contributions to the GWP. In the contribution analysis for static-pile composting, the avoidance of compost spreading and the carbon storage effect (due to compost usage) contributed 54% of the overall impacts to GWP and between 21 and 45% to the other indicators. Conclusions This LCA study illustrates how horticulturists can improve their resource management practices by recycling olive mill waste materials. Proper management of composting unit aeration can reduce fugitive GHG emissions.

Purpose In Italy, composting olive mill waste has become a common practice, since it mitigates the environmental problems associated with spreading the waste on land. Compost can be used to prepare growth media for plant nursery cultivation as a substitute for peat, a non-renewable resource whose extraction has long raised environmental concerns. Here, we investigate two common composting procedures--open windrow and static-pile in gas-permeable bags--and compare them to evaluate their environmental impact. Methods We perform a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The LCA considers carbon storage in the soil after 100 years, fugitive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the impacts avoided by substituting for peat. We use cumulative energy demand, global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential, and eutrophication potential indicators in a contribution analysis and explore how the re-use of olive pits for energy production and reduction of commercial fertilizers improves the environmental balance. We also present a scenario analysis that indicates how parameter fluctuations affect the results. Results and discussion Our study shows that peat's impacts can be significantly reduced from 1162.3 to 96.3 kg CO2-eq/Mg for open windrow compost or 43.1 kg CO2-eq/Mg for static-pile compost in gas-permeable bags. For static-pile composting, the lack of volatile organic compound and ammonia emissions and the detection of oxygen concentrations above 12% vol. suggest fully aerobic conditions. Fugitive greenhouse gas emissions were the most important contributions to the GWP. In the contribution analysis for static-pile composting, the avoidance of compost spreading and the carbon storage effect (due to compost usage) contributed 54% of the overall impacts to GWP and between 21 and 45% to the other indicators. Conclusions This LCA study illustrates how horticulturists can improve their resource management practices by recycling olive mill waste materials. Proper management of composting unit aeration can reduce fugitive GHG emissions.