Techno-Economic Assessment of Atmospheric Carbon Removal via Industrial Composting of Biomass Waste with CO 2 Capture

Abstract

The techno-economic feasibility of removing atmospheric CO2 via industrial composting of high-moisture, heterogeneous biomass waste with CO2 capture is assessed. The novel composting process generates a relatively high concentration of biogenic CO2 for capture, while avoiding the emission of methane and generating a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Empirical data generated from compost bioreactors at 0.5 L and 25 L scales inform the techno-economic assessment. The levelized cost of CO2 capture is estimated to be USD 85 per tonne of CO2 (tCO2), while the levelized cost of CO2 removal is estimated to be USD 102/ tCO2 under base case assumptions. Sensitivity analysis indicates that a biomass feed rate and tipping fee are the most sensitive parameters. A compost facility with a biomass feed rate of 45,990 dry t-biomass/year has the potential to remove over 26,500 tCO2/year from the atmosphere with gaseous CO2 capture. Industrial composting of biomass waste with CO2 capture has the potential to be a viable biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) technology and warrants further investigation.