Upstream and Downstream Processing of Biogas: From Production Technology to Performance Assessment

Dear Colleagues,

Biogas is an important source of energy for a sustainable transition.

Despite feedstock for biogas production are widespread all over the world and the multiple environmental benefits resulting from biogas use, only few European countries focused on this technology by introducing appropriate support policies. The reasons are not only economics, but also technical, social and environmental.

For developing countries, the availability of process water and the extensive use of energy crops for fuel production instead of food can lead to strong negative effects. Therefore, energy and policies must be based on precise agronomic and environmental assessments.

In developed countries, emissions during biogas production and utilization (odours, biogas leaks, spills in the ground and exhaust gases from chimneys) are source of concerns for the inhabitants living nearby a plant. Hence, extensive health impact assessments are needed for social acceptance of the biogas chain.

As a matter of fact, today the high investment costs and the low price of fossil fuels limit the spread of biogas technology. But, the development of more efficient production methods and adequate support policies can help to overcome these obstacles.

For these reasons, this special issue wants to focus on:

• Upstream and downstream processing innovations: new energy crops, anaerobic digestion enhancements, exploitation of biogas as a fuel (ORC systems, fuel cells, biomethane)
• Environmental sustainability evaluation by means of multidisciplinary impact analyses.
• Health and Environmental impact assessments: evaluations of the damage caused by biogas production plants and by combustion in engines, gas turbines or other devices and effects on emissions regulations.

Prof. Dr. Alarico Macor
Prof. Dr. Alberto Benato
Prof. Dr. Andrea Pezzuolo
Guest Editors

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• Biogas technology innovations
• Treatment and processing
• Environmental sustainability
• Health impact assessments
• Biogas upgrades
• Environmental-Economical-Social Sustainability indicators