Title:
Well-to-Wheels Comparison of the Environmental Profile of Pyrolysis-Based Biofuels
Author(s):
Iribarren, D., Peters, J.F., Petrakopoulou, F., Dufour, J.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This work presents the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a pyrolysis-based system for biofuel production. Hybrid poplar wood from short-rotation plantations is converted to synthetic fuels by fast pyrolysis and subsequent hydroupgrading. The inventory data for the pyrolysis and upgrading facilities are derived through process simulation in Aspen Plus, including biomass pretreatment, pyrolysis, hydroupgrading, distillation and steam reforming of natural gas to produce the required hydrogen. The LCA results are contrasted with the environmental profiles of bioethanol from rye, biodiesel from rapeseed and conventional fossil fuels. Overall, the life-cycle performance of pyrolysis¬derived biofuels indicates that this type of second generation biofuels constitutes a promising alternative to both conventional fossil fuels and first generation biofuels.
Keywords:
biofuels, fast pyrolysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), short rotation forestry (SRF), environmental impact
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Sustainability assessment and criteria
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
5AV.1.7
Pages:
2195 - 2198
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-5AV.1.7
Price:
FREE
