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The environmental performance of pretreatment technologies for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol

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  • Smullen, Emma
  • Finnan, John
  • Dowling, David
  • Mulcahy, Patricia

Abstract

Ethanol production from switchgrass has the potential to reduce life cycle GHG emissions by 77–97% relative to petroleum based fuels. This study examines the environmental performance of the chemical pretreatment process employed during lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol in an effort to minimise the environmental impact of pretreatment processing techniques. The study quantifies the impact of four pretreatment chemical processes employing sodium hydroxide, ammonia, methanol and sulphuric acid on five environmental indicators, in order to identify the pretreatment process with the lowest environmental impact. Using SimaPrò life cycle assessment software the emissions output to air, soil and water contributing to the environmental parameters: global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication, acidification, photochemical oxidation demand and marine and human ecotoxicity were assessed.

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  • Smullen, Emma & Finnan, John & Dowling, David & Mulcahy, Patricia, 2019. "The environmental performance of pretreatment technologies for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 527-534.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:142:y:2019:i:c:p:527-534
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.04.082
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Lei & Littlewood, Jade & Murphy, Richard J., 2013. "Environmental sustainability of bioethanol production from wheat straw in the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 715-725.
    2. Smullen, Emma & Finnan, John & Dowling, David & Mulcahy, Patricia, 2017. "Bioconversion of switchgrass: Identification of a leading pretreatment option based on yield, cost and environmental impact," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 638-645.
    3. González-García, Sara & Iribarren, Diego & Susmozas, Ana & Dufour, Javier & Murphy, Richard J., 2012. "Life cycle assessment of two alternative bioenergy systems involving Salix spp. biomass: Bioethanol production and power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 111-122.
    4. Soam, Shveta & Kapoor, Manali & Kumar, Ravindra & Borjesson, Pal & Gupta, Ravi P. & Tuli, Deepak K., 2016. "Global warming potential and energy analysis of second generation ethanol production from rice straw in India," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 353-364.
    5. Borrion, Aiduan Li & McManus, Marcelle C. & Hammond, Geoffrey P., 2012. "Environmental life cycle assessment of lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4638-4650.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria El Hage & Nicolas Louka & Sid-Ahmed Rezzoug & Thierry Maugard & Sophie Sablé & Mohamed Koubaa & Espérance Debs & Zoulikha Maache-Rezzoug, 2023. "Bioethanol Production from Woody Biomass: Recent Advances on the Effect of Pretreatments on the Bioconversion Process and Energy Yield Aspects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, June.
    2. Isler-Kaya, Asli & Karaosmanoglu, Filiz, 2022. "Life cycle assessment of safflower and sugar beet molasses-based biofuels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 1127-1138.
    3. Larnaudie, Valeria & Ferrari, Mario Daniel & Lareo, Claudia, 2022. "Switchgrass as an alternative biomass for ethanol production in a biorefinery: Perspectives on technology, economics and environmental sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    4. Magdalena Zdeb & Marta Bis & Artur Przywara, 2023. "Multi-Criteria Analysis of the Influence of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Techniques on Methane Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, January.

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