PILOT DEMONSTRATION OF A MODULAR BIOPROCESS SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING CONSUMER BIOPLASTIC PRODUCTS FROM FOOD WASTES

The overall goal of this project is to develop and demonstrate a pilot-scale modular bioprocessing system to produce bioplastics from food wastes with cost competency. The supporting objectives and plans to accomplish this project goal include: (1) Food waste inventory check and characterization; (2) Modular design of the pilot scale system; (3) Pilot-scale demonstration of VFA production; (4) Pilot-scale PHA fermentation; (5) PHA extraction and purification; (6) Biomanufacturing and characterization of PHA-derived plastics; and (7) Iterative TEA and LCA to improve and judge the success of this project.