Evaluation of Biodiesel Fuels to Reduce Fossil Fuel Use in Corps of Engineers Floating Plant Operations

Tubman, Michael; Welp, Timothy; Immel, Ryan; Leitch, Robert

doi:10.21236/ad1013241

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In 2013, the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center published results of emissions testing using the three described fuels above in USACE‐owned navigation equipment . The use‐phase in the current study used reported fuel consumption rates and emissions from two vessels (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although USACE relies heavily on privately owned and operated dredging equipment for much of this work, it holds 2300 floating plant assets. In 2010, fuel consumption for these assets alone was 8.3 million gallons of diesel …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2013, USACE measured the atmospheric emissions from dredging equipment consuming three different fuel types and found that biofuels did have the potential to lower some types of emissions, including particulate matter under 2.5 microns in size (PM 2.5 ) . These fuels have widely different production process, however, and an assessment of the full life‐cycle is necessary to provide a complete picture of the potential benefits of such biofuels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life‐cycle impacts of soybean and algae biodiesel: Case study of US marine vessels

Tsang

Fox‐Lent

Wallace

et al. 2015

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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The push to find alternatives to fossil fuels has driven research and consumption of biofuels. Recent actions in the United States have placed an emphasis on the use of renewable fuels for improved sustainability of government operations. In 2013, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) measured atmospheric emissions from two navigation vessels consuming three different fuel types and found that biofuels have the potential to lower atmospheric emissions. These fuels have widely different production processes, however, and a full life‐cycle assessment is necessary to provide a complete picture of these biofuels. The goal of this study was to identify whether transitioning navigation vessels to operate on biodiesel would have the potential to lower human health and environmental impacts. This study focuses on the complete life cycle of these fuels in USACE marine vessels by employing a well‐to‐wheels life‐cycle assessment comparing the impacts of a 100% soy‐based biodiesel and an algal‐based biodiesel blend to a conventional diesel. Overall, soybean‐based biodiesel had lower impacts compared to algal‐based biodiesel. Impacts from conventional diesel were generally lower than algal‐based biodiesel, but impacts between conventional diesel and soybean‐based biodiesel were mixed. While greenhouse gas emissions during the use phase were reduced for the biofuels (after considering only the non‐biogenic fraction of carbon emission), a complete look at the life‐cycle resulted in cases where emissions could be greater than conventional diesel. Biodiesel impacts depended greatly on modeling assumptions made in the life‐cycle system boundaries and inventory such as allocation method and assumptions about feedstock growth and harvesting. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life‐cycle impacts of soybean and algae biodiesel: Case study of US marine vessels

Tsang

Fox‐Lent

Wallace

et al. 2015

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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“…Diesel and Biodiesel use in Navigation Equipment. Tubman et al (2016) measured emissions from the operation of USACE-owned debris boats using three different fuels, to explore the utility of using biofuels in navigation equipment to reduce carbon emissions and increase use of renewable resources. This was valuable for documenting use-stage outputs.…”

Section: Application Of Lca and Case Studies For The Navigation Programmentioning

confidence: 99%

Basics of life-cycle assessment for navigation

Fox‐Lent¹,

Bates²,

Kurth³

2019

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This technical note (TN) describes how environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA) can integrate multiple environmental considerations and stakeholder constraints to inform and support sustainable operations and best practices for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Navigation Program in a cost-effective manner. NOTE: The contents of this technical note are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such products.

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Evaluation of Biodiesel Fuels to Reduce Fossil Fuel Use in Corps of Engineers Floating Plant Operations

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Life‐cycle impacts of soybean and algae biodiesel: Case study of US marine vessels

Life‐cycle impacts of soybean and algae biodiesel: Case study of US marine vessels

Basics of life-cycle assessment for navigation

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