title: Life-cycle energy production and emissions mitigation by comprehensive biogas-digestate utilization.
abstract: In the context of global energy shortages and climate change, developing biogas plants with links to agricultural system has become an important strategy for cleaner rural energy and renewable agriculture. In this study, a life-cycle energy and environmental assessment was performed for a biogas-digestate utilization system in China. The results suggest that biogas utilization (heating, illumination, and fuel) and comprehensive digestate reuse are of equal importance in the total energy production of the system, and they also play an important role in systemic greenhouse gas mitigation. Improvement can be achieved in both energy production and emissions mitigation when the ratio of the current three biogas utilization pathways is adjusted. Regarding digestate reuse, a tradeoff between energy and environmental performance can be obtained by focusing on the substitution for top-dressing, base fertilizers, and the application to seed soaking.
authors.affiliation: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
authors.forename: Shaoqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D002681:China; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D059205:Renewable Energy
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels