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Energy analysis and environmental impacts of microalgal biodiesel in China

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  • Yanfen, Liao
  • Zehao, Huang
  • Xiaoqian, Ma

Abstract

The entire life cycle of biodiesel produced by microalgal biomasses was evaluated using the method of life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify and quantify the fossil energy requirements and environmental impact loading of the system. The life cycle considers microalgae cultivation, harvesting, drying, oil extraction, anaerobic digestion, oil transportation, esterification, biodiesel transportation and biodiesel combustion. The investigation results show that the fossil energy requirement for the biodiesel production is 0.74MJ/MJ biodiesel, indicating that 1MJ of biodiesel requires an input of 0.74MJ of fossil energy. Accordingly, biodiesel production is feasible as an energy producing process. The environmental impact loading of microalgal biodiesel is 3.69 PET2010 (Person Equivalents, Targeted, in 2010) and the GWP is 0.16kg CO2-eq/MJ biodiesel. The effects of photochemical ozone formation were greatest among all calculated categorization impacts. The fossil energy requirement and GWP in this operation were found to be particularly sensitive to oil content, drying rate and esterification rate. Overall, the results presented herein indicate that the cultivation of microalgae has the potential to produce an environmentally sustainable feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanfen, Liao & Zehao, Huang & Xiaoqian, Ma, 2012. "Energy analysis and environmental impacts of microalgal biodiesel in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 142-151.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:45:y:2012:i:c:p:142-151
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.007
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    1. Brennan, Liam & Owende, Philip, 2010. "Biofuels from microalgae--A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 557-577, February.
    2. Mata, Teresa M. & Martins, António A. & Caetano, Nidia. S., 2010. "Microalgae for biodiesel production and other applications: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 217-232, January.
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    2. Chamkalani, A. & Zendehboudi, S. & Rezaei, N. & Hawboldt, K., 2020. "A critical review on life cycle analysis of algae biodiesel: current challenges and future prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
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    5. Tang, YuTing & Ma, XiaoQian & Lai, ZhiYi & Chen, Yong, 2013. "Energy analysis and environmental impacts of a MSW oxy-fuel incineration power plant in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 132-141.
    6. Kostas, Emily T. & Beneroso, Daniel & Robinson, John P., 2017. "The application of microwave heating in bioenergy: A review on the microwave pre-treatment and upgrading technologies for biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 12-27.
    7. Arcigni, Francesco & Friso, Riccardo & Collu, Maurizio & Venturini, Mauro, 2019. "Harmonized and systematic assessment of microalgae energy potential for biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 614-624.
    8. Collet, Pierre & Hélias, Arnaud & Lardon, Laurent & Steyer, Jean-Philippe & Bernard, Olivier, 2015. "Recommendations for Life Cycle Assessment of algal fuels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1089-1102.
    9. Pu Peng & Wenguang Zhou, 2014. "The Next Generation Feedstock of Biofuel: Jatropha or Chlorella as Assessed by Their Life-Cycle Inventories," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-14, July.
    10. Uusitalo, V. & Väisänen, S. & Havukainen, J. & Havukainen, M. & Soukka, R. & Luoranen, M., 2014. "Carbon footprint of renewable diesel from palm oil, jatropha oil and rapeseed oil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 103-113.
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