Life cycle assessment of sugarcane ethanol and palm oil biodiesel joint production.

Abstract Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and palm tree (Elaeis guianeensis) are crops with high biofuel yields, 7.6 m3 ha−1 y−1 of ethanol and 4 Mg ha−1 y−1 of oil, respectively. The joint production of these crops enhances the sustainability of ethanol. The objective of this work was comparing a traditional sugarcane ethanol production system (TSES) with a joint production system (JSEB), in which ethanol and biodiesel are produced at the same biorefinery but only ethanol is traded. The comparison is based on ISO 14.040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006, and appropriate indicators. Production systems in Cerrado (typical savannah), Cerradao (woody savannah) and pastureland ecosystems were considered. Energy and carbon balances, and land use change impacts were evaluated. The joint system includes 100% substitution of biodiesel for diesel, which is all consumed in different cropping stages. Data were collected by direct field observation methods, and questionnaires applied to Brazilian facilities. Three sugarcane mills situated in Sao Paulo State and one palm oil refinery located in Para State were surveyed. The information was supplemented by secondary sources. Results demonstrated that fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions decreased, whereas energy efficiency increased when JSEB was compared to TSES. In comparison with TSES, the energy balance of JSEB was 1.7 greater. In addition, JSEB released 23% fewer GHG emissions than TSES. The ecosystem carbon payback time for Cerrado, Cerradao, and Degraded Grassland of JSEB was respectively 4, 7.7 and −7.6 years. These are typical land use types of the Brazilian Cerrado region for which JSEB was conceived.

[1]  Daniel Alves Aguiar,et al.  Prospects of the sugarcane expansion in Brazil: impacts on direct and indirect land use changes. , 2008 .

[2]  Bruno José Rodrigues Alves,et al.  Mitigação das emissões de gases efeito estufa pelo uso de etanol da cana-de-açúcar produzido no Brasil. , 2009 .

[3]  Tracey Holloway,et al.  Carbon payback times for crop-based biofuel expansion in the tropics: the effects of changing yield and technology , 2008 .

[4]  H. Masjuki,et al.  Biodiesel from palmoil—an analysis of its properties and potential , 2002 .

[5]  Fausto Freire,et al.  Renewability and life-cycle energy efficiency of bioethanol and bio-ethyl tertiary butyl ether (bioETBE): Assessing the implications of allocation , 2006 .

[6]  N. H. Ravindranath,et al.  2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories , 2006 .

[7]  S. Polasky,et al.  Land Clearing and the Biofuel Carbon Debt , 2008, Science.

[8]  Agamutu A L Pariatamby.  Palm Oil Mill Effluent- Treatment and Utilization , 1995 .

[9]  J. Seabra,et al.  Green house gases emissions in the production and use of ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil: the 2005/2006 averages and a prediction for 2020. , 2008 .

[10]  Simone P. Souza,et al.  Greenhouse gas emissions and energy balance of palm oil biofuel , 2010 .

[11]  M. A. Fazal,et al.  Biodiesel feasibility study: An evaluation of material compatibility; performance; emission and engine durability , 2011 .

[12]  D. Pimentel,et al.  Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower , 2005 .

[13]  José Roberto Moreira,et al.  Historical carbon budget of the brazilian ethanol program , 2009 .

[14]  J. van de Vooren,et al.  Environmental sustainability of sugarcane ethanol in Brazil. , 2008 .

[15]  Jacinto F. Fabiosa,et al.  Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change , 2008, Science.

[16]  P. Eng.  CO2 emissions from fuel combustion: highlights , 2009 .

[17]  Robert M. Boddey,et al.  Bio-Ethanol Production in Brazil , 2008 .

[18]  L. A. C. Jorge,et al.  Avaliação do sistema radicular da cana-de-açúcar por diferentes métodos , 2003 .

[19]  S. Kent Hoekman,et al.  Biofuels in the U.S. – Challenges and Opportunities , 2009 .

[20]  A. Hoekstra,et al.  The water footprint of bioenergy , 2009, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[21]  B. E. Vaughan,et al.  Ethanol as Fuel: Energy, Carbon Dioxide Balances, and Ecological Footprint , 2005 .