Title:
Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Jet Fuel from Ethanol: an Analysis from Consequential and Attributional Approaches
Author(s):
Capaz, R., Posada, J., Seabra, J., Osseweijer, P.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
The aviation sector goals in reducing its carbon emissions has boosted the interests in Renewable Jet Fuels (RJF). Nowadays, among the approved pathways of RJF, it is listed the dehydration-oligomerization of ethanol with following hydrogenation. The use of ethanol in Brazil would be a strategic alternative to produce RJF at short/medium terms, because its considerable production and good environmental performance. In this context, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to estimate the effective carbon emissions of RJF from sugarcane, considering 1G ethanol and 2G ethanol processes (enzymatic hydrolysis and syngas fermentation). By the recognized sensitivity of the LCA outcomes from methodological choices, the assessment was carried out from attributional and consequential approaches. At former, the analysis comprised how carbon emissions are along the life cycle, assuming a status-quo technology and average value. At latter, the addressed question was how carbon emissions would be by a new demand of RJF, focusing on just in the changes and effects to supply it. By attributional perspective, the results indicated a potential GHG reduction of 70% (syngas fermentation of bagasse, 8.4 gCO2e/MJ) to 90% (first generation of ethanol, 25.2 gCO2e/MJ) in comparison to fossil kerosene. By consequential approach, it is verified a potential mitigation of GHG emissions, especially in scenarios with high power surplus, as residues hydrolysis (-67.1 gCO2e/MJ), however followed by a considerable level of uncertainties.
Keywords:
biofuel, ethanol, life cycle assessment (LCA)
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts of bioenergy
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4DO.8.4
Pages:
1336 - 1343
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-4DO.8.4
Price:
FREE
