Chalmers Conferences, LCM 2013

BIOSYNFUEL PRODUCTION VIA SLOW OR FAST PYROLYSIS? A LIFE-CYCLE ENERGY DEMAND AND GLOBAL WARMING APPROACH
Jens F. Peters, Diego Iribarren, Javier Dufour

Last modified: 2014-09-11

Abstract


Two pyrolysis-based biosynfuel pathways are compared via life cycle assessment regarding their cumulative non-renewable energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). An avoided burden approach is used for dealing with the different products. Biosynfuels are produced by slow or fast pyrolysis of short-rotation poplar followed by hydrotreating of the obtained bio-oil. Key inventory data of both energy systems are derived from Aspen Plus® simulations. The fast pyrolysis-based system shows higher fossil energy savings but lower GWP reduction, indicating a trade-off situation between the two impact categories. Overall, biosynfuel production by slow pyrolysis is found to be competitive under CED and GWP aspects and can be considered as an alternative to fast pyrolysis systems.

Keywords


biofuel; bio-oil; cumulative energy demand; life cycle assessment; system expansion

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