Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access

CL4W-Contaminated land for wealth: Land remediation using phytoremediation for high priority soil contaminants then post-processing biomass for energy

Euro-Global Summit and Expo on Biomass

August 08-09, 2016 Birmingham, UK

Phil Longhurst

Cranfield University, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl

Abstract :

Widespread pollution from the release of elemental contaminants is a growing concern. Elements such as arsenic, nickel and platinum group metals increasingly pollute the biosphere from contaminated sites. Phytoremediation - the process of accumulating elements within plant biomass has the potential to treat contaminated sites at low cost. This presentation discusses the scope for an approach that combines land remediation with biomass post-processing to achieve energy conversion from crops alongside the recovery of high value elements. Process performance and return on investment are key factors in establishing phytoremediation. This presentation explains an analytical review of plant species for phytoremediation to assess viability. The study includes the application of Monte Carlo simulation to look at the project risk in achieving adequate biomass yields. It then considers options for recovery of elements from the biomass - low energy, low cost and resource recovery from land remediation.

Biography :

Email: p.j.longhurst@cranfield.ac.uk