Life Cycle Assessment for Bioethanol Production from Three Feedstocks and Waste Reutilization Schemes

• Main Authors: Hsin-Chuan Hsieh, 謝幸娟
• Other Authors: Chun-Han Ko
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/04867284089528374949

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 森林環境暨資源學研究所 === 101 === Bioethanol made from lignocellulosic materials is the most promising alternative devoid of competing with land source for food production. This study employed life cycle assessment to investigate scenarios for plantation of three different energy crops in fallow paddy fields in Taiwan: rice straw as agricultural waste, napier grass and eucalypt species as short rotation coppice, for bioethanol production. Utilization schemes for aforementioned wastes for fuel pellets as secondary energy source and recycled molded pulp as secondary products are also evaluated by life cycle assessment considered energy consumptions and environmental emissions for processes of each utilization scenario. Analysis shows alternative fuels made by bioethanols can effectively reduce the usage of fossil fuels. Different plantation practices for individual feedstock cause different environmental impacts. With regards to optimal energy production, napier grass plantation is the best choice due to its highest overall biomass production. With regards to optimal energy production, napier grass plantation is the best choice due to its highest biomass production. With regards to optimal bioethanol production, eucalypt plantation is the best choice due to its minimal ecological impacts. With regards to unit areal land productivity, rice straw plantation is the best choice. Reutilization schemes of fermentation wastes for pellet fuel and recycled molded pulp are compared: pellet fuel production can achieve better energy efficiency. This study found the combination of napier grass plantation and pellet fuel made by bioethanol fermentation wastes is the optimal alternative among other options in the present study.