IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v4y2014i3p217-230d37711.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Next Generation Feedstock of Biofuel: Jatropha or Chlorella as Assessed by Their Life-Cycle Inventories

Author

Listed:
  • Pu Peng

    (State Key Laboratory of Catalytic Material and Reaction Engineering, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, SINOPEC, 18 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Wenguang Zhou

    (Center for Biorefining, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA)

Abstract

Promising energy crops such as Jatropha curcas Linnaeus ( JCL ), which are planted on marginal lands, or microalgae such as Chlorella , which are cultivated in ponds located on mudflats or deserts, have been regarded with high hopes to solve the shortage of food crops and increase the amount of biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, FAME) production. However, the annual yields of biomass and transport fuels (t/ha) of both are still unclear and often exaggerated in the literature. Large portions of JCL biomass, including tree trunks and leaves, can also be used to generate electricity along with FAME, which is produced from seed lipids. Meanwhile, lipid extracted algae (LEA) are composed of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids other than glycerides which are unable to be esterified to form FAME and much more abundant in the microalgae than oil cake in the oil crops. Therefore, it has been strongly suggested that not only transesterification or esterification but also Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process and bio-electricity generation should be considered as routes to produce biofuels. Otherwise, the yield of biofuel would be extremely low using either JCL or Chlorella as feedstock. The Life-Cycle Inventories (LCI) of the biofuel processes with whole biomass of JCL and Chlorella were compared based on their net energy ratio (NER) and CO 2 emission saving (CES). It was shown that the technological improvement of irrigation, cultivation, and processing for either economic-crops or microalgae were all necessary to meet the requirements of commercial biofuel production.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:4:y:2014:i:3:p:217-230:d:37711
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/4/3/217/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/4/3/217/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carriquiry, Miguel A. & Dong, Fengxia & Du, Xiaodong & Elobeid, Amani & Fabiosa, Jacinto F. & Hart, Chad E. & Hayes, Dermot J. & Kovarik, Karen P. & Tokgoz, Simla & Wailes, Eric J. & Chavez, Edward & , 2009. "FAPRI 2009 U.S. And World Agricultural Outlook," Staff General Research Papers Archive 13062, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    2. Basili, Marcello & Fontini, Fulvio, 2012. "Biofuel from Jatropha curcas: Environmental sustainability and option value," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-8.
    3. Federico Bonaglia, 2009. "Zambia: Sustaining Agricultural Diversification," OECD Journal: General Papers, OECD Publishing, vol. 2009(2), pages 103-131.
    4. 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.
    5. Ou, Xunmin & Zhang, Xiliang & Chang, Shiyan & Guo, Qingfang, 2009. "Energy consumption and GHG emissions of six biofuel pathways by LCA in (the) People's Republic of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(Supplemen), pages 197-208, November.
    6. World Bank & Food and Agriculture Organization & International Fund for Agricultural Development, 2009. "Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook [Agricultura y desarrollo rural : manual sobre género en agricultura]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6603.
    7. Kalam, M.A. & Ahamed, J.U. & Masjuki, H.H., 2012. "Land availability of Jatropha production in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 3999-4007.
    8. Timilsina, Govinda R. & Shrestha, Ashish, 2011. "How much hope should we have for biofuels?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 2055-2069.
    9. Pandey, Krishan K. & Pragya, Namita & Sahoo, P.K., 2011. "Life cycle assessment of small-scale high-input Jatropha biodiesel production in India," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4831-4839.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mark E. Zappi & Alex Zappi & Emmanuel Revellame & Wayne Sharp & Dhan Lord Fortela & Rafael Hernandez & Terrence Chambers & Kary Ritter & Daniel Gang, 2020. "An Assessment of the Potential to Produce Commercially Valuable Lipids on Highway Right-of-Way Land Areas Located Within the Southeastern United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-38, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lim, Bo Yuan & Shamsudin, Rosnah & Baharudin, B.T. Hang Tuah & Yunus, Robiah, 2015. "A review of processing and machinery for Jatropha curcas L. fruits and seeds in biodiesel production: Harvesting, shelling, pretreatment and storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 991-1002.
    2. van Eijck, Janske & Romijn, Henny & Balkema, Annelies & Faaij, André, 2014. "Global experience with jatropha cultivation for bioenergy: An assessment of socio-economic and environmental aspects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 869-889.
    3. Portugal-Pereira, Joana & Nakatani, Jun & Kurisu, Kiyo H. & Hanaki, Keisuke, 2015. "Comparative energy and environmental analysis of Jatropha bioelectricity versus biodiesel production in remote areas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 284-293.
    4. Gasparatos, A. & von Maltitz, G.P. & Johnson, F.X. & Lee, L. & Mathai, M. & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. & Willis, K.J., 2015. "Biofuels in sub-Sahara Africa: Drivers, impacts and priority policy areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 879-901.
    5. Jenkins, Jesse D., 2014. "Political economy constraints on carbon pricing policies: What are the implications for economic efficiency, environmental efficacy, and climate policy design?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 467-477.
    6. Anne Clerval, 2016. "París contra el pueblo. La gentrificación de la capital," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Economía, edition 1, number 74.
    7. Jose Cuesta & Stephen Devereux & Abdul‐Gafaru Abdulai & Jaideep Gupte & Luigi Peter Ragno & Keetie Roelen & Rachel Sabates‐Wheeler & Tayllor Spadafora, 2021. "Urban social assistance: Evidence, challenges and the way forward, with application to Ghana," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(3), pages 360-380, May.
    8. Lizanne Wheeler & Lisa Kitinoja & Diane M. Barrett, 2015. "Use of Insulated Covers over Product Crates to Reduce Losses in Amaranth during Shipping Delays," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-20, December.
    9. Dussadee Rattanaphra & Sittinun Tawkaew & Sinsupha Chuichulcherm & Wilasinee Kingkam & Sasikarn Nuchdang & Kittiwan Kitpakornsanti & Unchalee Suwanmanee, 2023. "Evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment of Jatropha Biodiesel Processed by Esterification of Thai Domestic Rare Earth Oxide Catalysts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Portugal-Pereira, Joana & Nakatani, Jun & Kurisu, Kiyo & Hanaki, Keisuke, 2016. "Life cycle assessment of conventional and optimised Jatropha biodiesel fuels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 585-593.
    11. Óscar A. Alfonso R. & Carlos E. Alonso M., 2016. "Alimentación Para Las Metrópolis Colombianas. Fragilidad Territorial, Vulnerabilidad A Las Anomalías Del Clima Y Circulación De Agroalimentos," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Economía, edition 1, number 73.
    12. Kevin D. Welch & Daniel Cook & Benedict T. Green & Dale R. Gardner & James A. Pfister & Tara G. McDaneld & Kip E. Panter, 2015. "Adverse Effects of Larkspur ( Delphinium spp.) on Cattle," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-19, July.
    13. Rubio Rodríguez, M.A. & Ruyck, J. De & Díaz, P. Roque & Verma, V.K. & Bram, S., 2011. "An LCA based indicator for evaluation of alternative energy routes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(3), pages 630-635, March.
    14. Perumal, Varatharaju & Ilangkumaran, M., 2018. "Water emulsified hybrid pongamia biodiesel as a modified fuel for the experimental analysis of performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 623-631.
    15. Loretta Mastroeni & Alessandro Mazzoccoli & Greta Quaresima & Pierluigi Vellucci, 2021. "Wavelet analysis and energy-based measures for oil-food price relationship as a footprint of financialisation effect," Papers 2104.11891, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2022.
    16. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in Nigeria and Rural Women Livestock Keepers in Oil Host Communities," Research Africa Network Working Papers 18/060, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    17. Vladimir Heredia & Olivier Gonçalves & Luc Marchal & Jeremy Pruvost, 2021. "Producing Energy-Rich Microalgae Biomass for Liquid Biofuels: Influence of Strain Selection and Culture Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-15, February.
    18. Eric R. Morgan & Johannes Charlier & Guy Hendrickx & Annibale Biggeri & Dolores Catalan & Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna & Janina Demeler & Elizabeth Müller & Jan Van Dijk & Fiona Kenyon & Philip Skuc, 2013. "Global Change and Helminth Infections in Grazing Ruminants in Europe: Impacts, Trends and Sustainable Solutions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-19, August.
    19. Burton, Laura J., 2015. "Underrepresentation of women in sport leadership: A review of research," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 155-165.
    20. Savath, Vivien & Fletschner, Diana & Peterman, Amber & Santos, Florence, 2014. "Land, assets, and livelihoods: Gendered analysis of evidence from Odisha State in India:," IFPRI discussion papers 1323, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:4:y:2014:i:3:p:217-230:d:37711. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.