Life Cycle Assessment of Green Diesel Production by Hydrodeoxygenation of Palm Oil

Abstract

Transition to a new energy low carbon pool requires the gradual replacing of fossil fuels with other cleaner energies and biofuels. In this work, the environmental impact of renewable diesel production using an attributional life cycle assessment was evaluated by considering five stages: palm plantation-culture-harvest, palm oil extraction, palm oil refining, green (renewable) diesel production, and biofuel use. The functional unit was established as 1.6 × 10−2 m3 (13.13 kg) of renewable diesel. The results show that the production of renewable diesel by Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids is more environmentally friendly than fossil diesel production. In particular, the analysis showed that the CO2 emission decreases around 110% (i.e. mitigation occurred) compared with conventional diesel production. However, renewable diesel production has a relevant environmental impact in the human toxicity category due to the high consumption of agrochemicals during palm culture.

Production of Valuable Aromatics from the Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol and Real Bio-Oil over Ni–Nb/HZSM-5 under Supercritical Ethanol

“…In relation to that, over a period of 100 years, the current process showed a GWP of 9.87 kg CO 2 equiv/kg OP, including a direct contribution of 0.05 kg CO 2 equiv/kg OP. The process showed less contribution to global warming than conventional fuel as diesel has an approximate GWP of 79.93 kg CO 2 equiv . Concerning a full-fledged crude refining system, the GWP can be as high as 7,20,600 kg CO 2 equiv .…”

Determination of optimum technologies implementation scenarios toward net zero emissions in palm oil biodiesel production

“…Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was employed to calculate GHG emission from POB production. LCA is a methodology commonly used to evaluate environmental impacts caused by industrial processes and services [13]. Calculation of GHG emissions from POB production uses a modified Biograce worksheet.…”

Bioengineering to Accelerate Biodiesel Production for a Sustainable Biorefinery

“…A life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally recognized tool for determining the associated environmental impacts with all the life cycle stages of biofuel production, processing and utilization, making biofuels more sustainable [ 8 ]. LCA is a methodology customarily employed to assess the impact of the product on the environment induced by industrial operations and services, from acquisition, manufacturing, and usage of raw material and its maintenance until the final disposal of products or utilization of services [ 115 ]. LCA can also suggest alternative sub-processes to make the process sustainable [ 35 ].…”

“…Further, gaining value-added by-products (glycerol, potassium sulfate, and other by-produce) has extra monetary and environmental benefits. Correspondingly, Arguelles-Arguelles et al [ 115 ] conducted an LCA study to produce renewable diesel from palm oil, and reported around a 110% decrease in CO 2 emissions compared to fossil diesel combustions. Nevertheless, this investigation also reported the impact of palm oil-based biodiesel on the environment and its toxicity to humans due to high agrochemical use in palm plantations.…”