On the environmental and economic issues associated with the Jatropha curcas shell gasification to heat and electricity for biodiesel production

Abstract

The present work is focused on the use of Jatropha curcas biomass (shell), as feed to gasification systems coupled to a diesel engine for electricity generation. The scope of this research is to analyze the environmental and economic effects of the integration of a gasification system to a biodiesel plant. The environmental impacts are quantified by a Life Cycle Assessment and the economy is assessed based on the Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Investment Recovery Period models and the Levelized cost of electricity. The results demonstrate that a gasification system, using this biomass as a source of electricity generation, is a promising alternative for energy supply, with good economic effect. Estimated efficiencies are: Net Present Value > 0, Internal Rate of Return > 10%/yr and Investment Recovery Period = 2.08 years, representing very good outcomes for this kind of system. Nevertheless, the project exhibits a very low Levelized Cost of Electricity of 0.054 USD/kWh. From the environmental point of view, there is not critical step during the whole life cycle of electricity generation from Jatropha curcas biomass.negative environmental impacts were found for breathing-inorganics and acidification-eutrophication, but both at negligible levels.

Design of a bioreactor as a vital biological support for testing microalgae cultures in the stratosphere.

“…This species of microalgae has the characteristic of reproducing rapidly through photosynthesis, which means that cultivation time is shorter than that of other species, thus reducing the risk of contamination by undesirable microorganisms. In addition, it has high protein, lipid, and biomass productivity [14].…”

Simulación mediante DWSim de la producción de biodiesel y gasificación de biomasa de Jatropha curcas

“…La materia prima utilizada fue el aceite extraído de la semilla de Jatropha Curcas, planta oleaginosa con potencial de producción de biodiesel, con rendimientos relativamente altos de producción a bajos costos 24 . La caracterización físico-química del aceite extraído de semillas cosechadas es basada en la literatura 26 .…”

“…El objetivo del presente trabajo es simular mediante DWSim los procesos de producción de biodiesel de Jatropha curcas, así como del aprovechamiento de la corteza generada, con fines energéticos mediante gasificación. DWSim es recomendado por varios autores como una herramienta eficaz para simular el proceso de producción de biodiesel [22][23][24] . Sin embargo, no existen reportes en la literatura sobre el empleo de este simulador para procesos de gasificación de biomasa.…”