Comparison of biofuel life-cycle GHG emissions assessment tools: The case studies of ethanol produced from sugarcane, corn, and wheat

Pereira, Luís Antônio Violin Dias; Cavalett, Otávio; Bonomi, Antonio; Zhang, Y.; Warner, Ethan; Chum, Helena L.

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.04.043

Cited by 135 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Differences between GHGenius and GREET estimates of fuel life cycle GHG emissions have been assessed in recent studies (e.g., IEA, 2018; Obnamia, Dias, MacLean, & Saville, 2019; Pereira et al., 2019). For certain fuel pathways, model harmonization was shown to lead to less than a 9% difference between estimated life cycle GHG emissions such as with sugarcane ethanol (Pereira et al., 2019), corn ethanol (Pereira et al., 2019), and corn stover ethanol (Obnamia et al., 2019). For soybean biodiesel, a residual 6%–23% difference between model estimates remained after harmonization, with GHGenius estimating the highest emissions (IEA, 2018).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional variations in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of canola‐derived jet fuel produced in western Canada

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigates the life cycle GHG emissions of jet fuel produced via the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway from canola grown in western Canada, with a focus on characterizing regional influences on emissions. We examine the effects of geographic variations in soil type, agricultural inputs, farming practices, and direct land use changes on life cycle GHG emissions. We utilize GREET 2016 but replace default feedstock production inputs with geographically representative data for canola production across eight western Canadian regions (representing 99% of Canada's canola production) and replace the default conversion process with data from a novel process model previously developed in ASPEN in our research group wherein oil extraction is integrated with the HEFA‐based fuel production process. Although canola production inputs and yields vary across the regions, resulting life cycle GHG emissions are similar if effects of land use and land management changes (LMC) are not included; 44–48 g CO2e/MJ for the eight regions (45%–50% reduction compared to petroleum jet fuel). Results are considerably more variable, 16–58 g CO2e/MJ, when including effects of land use and LMC directly related to conversion of lands from other uses to canola production (34%–82% reduction compared to petroleum jet fuel). We establish the main sources of emissions in the life cycle of canola jet fuel (N‐fertilizer and related emissions, fuel production), identify that substantially higher emissions may occur when using feedstock sourced from regions where conversion of forested land to cropland had occurred, and identify benefits of less intense tillage practices and increased use of summerfallow land. The methods and findings are relevant in jurisdictions internationally that are incorporating GHG emissions reductions from aviation fuels in a low carbon fuel market or legislating carbon intensity reduction requirements.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional variations in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of canola‐derived jet fuel produced in western Canada

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The intensity of the carbon emission of corn ethanol is 44% lesser than petroleum gasoline 35 . However, the intensity is increased to 27% more than the petroleum gasoline when taking account the effect of land‐use changes 36 . A report from Searchinger et al 142 states that the GHGs emission for corn ethanol is doubled when considering the land‐use change, leading to an increase GHGs for 167 years over the entire lifespan of the fuel.…”

Section: First Generation Biofuelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on Abu‐Ghosh et al 36 study, the energy required for the cultivation in PBR systems is 53% higher than the open pond system. Khoo et al 47 and Resurreccion et al 44 also found that PBR systems require higher energy input.…”

Section: Third Generation Biofuelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability of the four generations of biofuels – A review

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biofuel has emerged as an alternative source of energy to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and combat global warming. Biofuels are classified into first, second, third and fourth generations. Each of the biofuel generations aims to meet the global energy demand while minimizing environmental impacts. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the current generations without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. The aim of sustainability is to ensure continuous growth of the economy while protecting the environment and societal needs. Thus, this paper aims to evaluate the sustainability of these four generations of biofuels. The objectives are to compare the production of biofuel, the net greenhouse gases emissions, and energy efficiency. This study is important in providing information for the policymakers and researchers in the decision-making for the future development of green energy. Each of the biofuel generations shows different benefits and drawbacks. From this study, we conclude that the first generation biofuel has the highest biofuel production and energy efficiency, but is less effective in meeting the goal of reducing the greenhouse gases emission. The third generation biofuel shows the lowest net greenhouse gases emissions, allowing the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, the energy required for the processing of the third generation biofuel is higher and, this makes it less environmentally friendly as fossil fuels are used to generate electricity. The third and fourth generation feedstocks are the potential sustainable source for the future production of biofuel. However, more studies need to be done to find an alternative low cost for biofuel production while increasing energy efficiency.

show abstract

“…Alternative fuels from ethanol had a high amount of octane. Ethanol can be produced from renewable sources such as starch, sugar cane and corn [3,4]. Ethanol fuel experiments for the first diesel engines were carried out in the 1970s and 1980s in South Africa and the US [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Using Diesel-Citronella Fuel Blend on The Emission and Fuel Consumption for Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine

Erdiwansyah

Zaki

Mahidin

et al. 2020

ARFMTS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The emissions generated from vehicle engines are one of the problems of global warming worldwide. Conventional oil depletion globally has encouraged various researchers to look for alternative fuel solutions as a substitute for petroleum. Various studies on additive fuels have also studied and most of the fuels have shown perfect results. In this experiment, citronella oil blended into pure diesel fuel to investigate emissions and fuel consumption in a single-cylinder diesel engine. Citronella oil used for diesel fuel blends as much as 0.5%. This test carried out on a single-cylinder engine with three loads (25%, 50% and 75%) and different engine speeds. The results of experiments with diesel-citronella fuel show CO2 emissions lower than pure diesel. Reduction of CO2 emissions from the diesel-citronella mixture for engine loads 25% (0.4%), 50% (0.8%) and 75% (1.9%), respectively. While diesel-citronella fuel blend consumption is higher than pure diesel for each engine load and all speeds tested. Overall diesel-citronella mixed fuel for all tests showed better results compared to pure diesel.

show abstract

Comparison of biofuel life-cycle GHG emissions assessment tools: The case studies of ethanol produced from sugarcane, corn, and wheat

Cited by 135 publications

References 42 publications

Regional variations in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of canola‐derived jet fuel produced in western Canada

Regional variations in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of canola‐derived jet fuel produced in western Canada

Sustainability of the four generations of biofuels – A review

The Effects of Using Diesel-Citronella Fuel Blend on The Emission and Fuel Consumption for Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About