Research on Life Cycle Assessment and Performance Comparison of Bioethanol Production from Various Biomass Feedstocks

Tianyi Yin, Taoli Huhe (), Xueqin Li, Qian Wang, Tingzhou Lei and Zhengzhong Zhou ()
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Tianyi Yin: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Taoli Huhe: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Xueqin Li: National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomass Refining and High-Quality Utilization, Institute of Urban and Rural Mining, Changzhou Key Laboratory of Biomass Green, Safe & High Value Utilization, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Qian Wang: National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomass Refining and High-Quality Utilization, Institute of Urban and Rural Mining, Changzhou Key Laboratory of Biomass Green, Safe & High Value Utilization, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Tingzhou Lei: National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomass Refining and High-Quality Utilization, Institute of Urban and Rural Mining, Changzhou Key Laboratory of Biomass Green, Safe & High Value Utilization, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Zhengzhong Zhou: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Bioethanol, as a renewable energy source, has been widely used in the energy sector, particularly in replacing traditional petroleum energy, and holds great potential. This study involves a whole life cycle assessment of bioethanol production and the co-production of high-value by-products—xylose, lignin, and steam—using three types of waste biomass: corn cobs, corn straw, and wheat straw as feedstocks by chopping, pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, and distillation methods. Secondly, the benefits of three raw materials are compared for preparing bioethanol, and their impact on the environment and energy production is analyzed. The comparison indicates that corn cobs offer the best overall benefits, with a net energy balance (NEB) of 6902 MJ/Mg of ethanol and a net energy ratio (NER) of 1.30. The global warming potential (GWP) is 1.75 × 10 −2 , acidification potential (AP) is 1.02 × 10 −2 , eutrophication potential (EP) is 2.63 × 10 −4 , photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) is 3.19 × 10 −8 , and human toxicity potential (HTP) is 1.52 × 10 −4 . This paper can provide a theoretical reference and data supporting the green refining of bioethanol and the high-value utilization of by-products, and broaden its application prospects.

Keywords: bioethanol; waste biomass; life cycle assessment (LCA); environment impact; energy balance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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