Biodiesel life cycle analysis

Starting point for the analysis of the different stages of the biodiesel life cycle is again the transesterification process with its inputs, process energy and process chemicals. The other two stages of the life cycle are classified as transport, considering both collection of the raw material and fuel delivery, and the combustion of biodiesel (see Table III). 

Sander, K., Murthy, G.S., 2010. life cycle analysis of algae biodiesel. Intemational Journal of Life Cycle Assessment... 

Life-cycle analysis study by Harding et al. (2008), compared the chemical catalysis and enzyme catalysis for biodiesel production. Study showed that the biological route has an advantage over the chemical route in terms of simplified purification process and energy savings. Life cycle analysis also showed that the biocatalytic route is more environmentally friendly. Global warming, acidification, and photochemical oxidation in the case of enzyme catalysis were reduced by 5%. Reduction in fresh water aquatic toxicity was approximately 12%, while reduction in marine aquatic toxicity and human toxicity were almost 10%. Reduction in terrestrial ecotoxicity... 

While the oils associated with vegetable matter and those pressed from algae used in waste treatment processes are most typically converted to biodiesel fuel, it is also possible to produce a broad range of products from vegetable oil and animal fats. These products can then once again serve as the basis for the production of chemicals from renewable resources (Figure 8.20). As with all bio-based products, it is important to complete a full economic and enviromnental life cycle analysis to determine the most viable routes for desired products. 

A focus area for this meeting was a discussion of new approaches to life cycle analyses of biobased processes is described in three papers. Anex reports an evaluation of processes for the production of 1,3-propanediol. Niederl describes an analysis of biodiesel production from tallow, while the paper from Bohimann reports on life cycle issues surrounding polyhydroxylalkanoate production. 

In the last few years biodiesel has become a hot topic, which is impressively demonstrated by the large number of LCAs published to deal with this issue (6-13). The findings of these studies - although some of them compare the same life cycle, e.g. biodiesel from rape seed oil - are not always in accordance. One reason is that although these authors look at the same life cycle, they often cut out different scopes for their analysis. 

Kralisch, D., Staffel, C., Ott, D., Bensaid, S., Saracco, G., Bellantoni, R, Loeb, R, 2013. Process design accompanying life cycle management and risk analysis as a decision support tool for sustainable biodiesel production. Green Chem. 15 (2), 463-411. 

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