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A comprehensive life cycle analysis of cofiring algae in a coal power plant as a solution for achieving sustainable energy

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  • Kucukvar, Murat
  • Tatari, Omer

Abstract

Algae cofiring scenarios in a 360 MW coal power plant were studied utilizing an ecologically based hybrid life cycle assessment methodology. The impacts on the ecological system were calculated in terms of cumulative mass, energy, industrial exergy, and ecological exergy. The environmental performance metrics, including efficiency, loading, and renewability ratios were also quantified to assess the sustainability of cofiring scenarios from a holistic perspective. The analysis results revealed that cumulative mass and ecological exergy consumption were higher for algae cofiring compared to single coal firing due to high material and energy inputs for the algae cultivation. On the contrary, total energy and industrial exergy utilization were reduced with an increasing share of algae cofiring where algae is dried with solar energy. Additionally, natural gas dried algae cofiring scenarios had a lower renewability ratio in comparison with single coal firing. The results of this study are vital for the policy makers to decide on more environmentally friendly algae cofiring options by considering the potential impacts on ecological system.

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  • Kucukvar, Murat & Tatari, Omer, 2011. "A comprehensive life cycle analysis of cofiring algae in a coal power plant as a solution for achieving sustainable energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 6352-6357.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:11:p:6352-6357
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.09.039
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    4. Alessio Ilari & Daniele Duca & Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom & Thomas Gasperini & Giuseppe Toscano, 2022. "Carbon Footprint and Feedstock Quality of a Real Biomass Power Plant Fed with Forestry and Agricultural Residues," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    5. Giostri, A. & Binotti, M. & Macchi, E., 2016. "Microalgae cofiring in coal power plants: Innovative system layout and energy analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 449-464.
    6. Lee, Young Duk & Ahn, Kook Young & Morosuk, Tatiana & Tsatsaronis, George, 2015. "Environmental impact assessment of a solid-oxide fuel-cell-based combined-heat-and-power-generation system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 455-466.
    7. Beal, C.M. & Hebner, R.E. & Webber, M.E., 2012. "Thermodynamic analysis of algal biocrude production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 925-943.
    8. Egilmez, Gokhan & Kucukvar, Murat & Tatari, Omer & Bhutta, M. Khurrum S., 2014. "Supply chain sustainability assessment of the U.S. food manufacturing sectors: A life cycle-based frontier approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 8-20.
    9. Zhao, Bingtao & Su, Yaxin & Zhang, Yixin & Cui, Guomin, 2015. "Carbon dioxide fixation and biomass production from combustion flue gas using energy microalgae," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 347-357.
    10. Do, Truong Xuan & Lim, Young-il & Yeo, Heejung & Lee, Uen-do & Choi, Young-tai & Song, Jae-hun, 2014. "Techno-economic analysis of power plant via circulating fluidized-bed gasification from woodchips," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 547-560.
    11. Wang, Changbo & Zhang, Lixiao & Chang, Yuan & Pang, Mingyue, 2015. "Biomass direct-fired power generation system in China: An integrated energy, GHG emissions, and economic evaluation for Salix," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 155-165.
    12. Restrepo, Álvaro & Bazzo, Edson, 2016. "Co-firing: An exergoenvironmental analysis applied to power plants modified for burning coal and rice straw," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 107-119.
    13. Wang, Chaoyang & Liu, Ming & Li, Bingxin & Liu, Yiwen & Yan, Junjie, 2017. "Thermodynamic analysis on the transient cycling of coal-fired power plants: Simulation study of a 660 MW supercritical unit," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 505-527.
    14. Onat, Nuri Cihat & Kucukvar, Murat & Tatari, Omer, 2015. "Conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles? State-based comparative carbon and energy footprint analysis in the United States," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 36-49.
    15. Wang, Yabo & Liu, Shengchun & Nian, Victor & Li, Xueqiang & Yuan, Jun, 2019. "Life cycle cost-benefit analysis of refrigerant replacement based on experience from a supermarket project," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    16. Nian, Victor, 2016. "Analysis of interconnecting energy systems over a synchronized life cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1024-1036.
    17. Sun, Jin & Zhao, Bingtao & Su, Yaxin, 2019. "Advanced control of NO emission from algal biomass combustion using loaded iron-based additives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 229-238.

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