Life Cycle Assessment of Cynara cardunculus L. -Based Polygeneration and Biodiesel Chains

Abstract

Given the current scenario of increasing environmental problems associated with the need for rapid energy transition, this article aimed to investigate the implementation of Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon), a plant with high environmental performance, as a source of energy resources. This study presented thLife Cycle Assessment of two energy production chains—for the polygeneration of power, heat, and cooling; and to produce biodiesel—fed with cardoon seeds, in addition to comparing these chains with the use of the traditional Italian grids (power and gas) and with the production of diesel based on palm, soybean, and rapeseed. Approximately 49 t of seeds were cultivated and processed, yielding 8.5 t of oil. The system boundaries encompass three main macro-phases, cardoon production, oil extraction, and, depending on the application, energy generation (polygeneration) or transesterification (biodiesel). The models were developed using the software SimaPro V9.3.0.2, and the inventory was based on the database ecoinvent V3.8. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment was performed using the ReCiPe V1.06 method at the midpoint (H) and endpoint (H/A) levels. Crude cardoon oil showed a global warming of 20–55% lower than other vegetable oils (palm, soybean, and rapeseed). In the case of biodiesel production, cardoon-based biodiesel presented a reduction in the impact burden by 12–57% compared to biodiesel based on palm, soybean, and rapeseed. With the use of oil in Polygeneration, a subtle increase in the impact burden was observed, with 13% more impact than the use of Italian power and gas grids.

Life Cycle Assessment of Polyol Production from Lignin via Organosolv and Liquefaction Treatments

“…The crop production phase was particularly affected by the cardoon harvesting process, as demonstrated by Barros Lovate Temporim et al [30,50]. This process had an impact on all ICs except for the WCS category.…”

“…Polyol production used cardoon as the raw material, with data on mass flows, yields, and machinery drawn from Novamont SpA., Ramoon et al [30], and Totoroli et al [29]. Metadata for cardoon production came from Porto Torres, Sardinia, with Novamont S.p.A providing production details and input information such as nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and compost.…”

“…The analysis covered 1 hectare of cultivation, yielding approximately 1.38 tons of seeds, 13.5 tons of epigeon lignocellulosic fraction, and 1.5 tons of ipogeon lignocellulosic faction. Machinery assumptions were based on research by Ramoon et al [30] and Totoroli et al [29]. Machinery usage was calculated aligning with harvested output and cultivated area.…”

“…As previously examined in studies on the cardoon production chain [30,50], the agricultural production inventory involved the application of fertilizers and the use of machinery. Data concerning fertilization were collected as primary data directly from the producer, while data regarding machinery usage were estimated based on the processes involved in cardoon cultivation.…”

“…In fact, by analyzing the elementary flows of fertilizers production, those chemicals led to emissions in air, water, and soil, primarily through phosphorus and nitrogen releases in the form of phosphates and nitrates. This affected groundwater, surface water, and, ultimately, oceans and seas [30]. Among all fertilizers used, ammonia's widespread use as a raw material had the highest impact, leading to substantial environmental effects across categories like GWP, IRD, MEC, and WCS.…”