Attributional life cycle assessment of biofuels for shipping: Addressing alternative geographical locations and cultivation systems

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a life cycle assessment of straight vegetable oil (SVO) and biodiesel addressing alternative upstream pathways. The pathways are SVO and biodiesel produced in the United Kingdom (UK) using European rapeseed and also, SVO and biodiesel produced in the UK using soybean grain and soybean oil imported from Argentina. Four environmental impact categories have been assessed using the SimaPro (ReCiPe life-cycle impact assessment) method: this includes global warming potential (GWP); acidification; eutrophication and particulate matter. Rapeseed based biofuel had the lowest emission impact in terms of GHG emissions. Significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can result from land use change due to the expansion and cultivation of soybean in Argentina. When land use change is not considered, the soy based biofuel system has the lowest GHG impact with more than 70% GHG emission reduction. The GHG emission at cultivation stage far outweighs the impacts of the other life-cycle stages irrespective of the feedstock used for the biofuel production systems. The use of fertilizers and associated soil emissions are the main contributors. The environmental impacts of biofuel can be reduced by avoiding land use change, improving soil management practices and yield, and also optimizing transportation routes. Effective implementation of options for biofuels production were explored to improve sustainability in shipping. et al., 2018). The risk of indirect land use change has led some to

Spatial Life Cycle Analysis of Soybean-Based Biodiesel Production in Indiana, USA Using Process Modeling

“…Other studies have also shown similar results, highlighting how regional practices on agricultural systems result in significantly different life cycle emissions. Soybean-based biodiesel was shown to have 70% lower Green House Gas (GHG) emission if land use change impact in Argentina was not considered [5], highlighting the role of the regional sourcing of feedstock in accounting for true life cycle emissions. A 2018 study focused on the life cycle emissions of soybean-based biodiesel produced in the US, using a national average for farming practices and the pathway of soy-oil to biodiesel conversion through transesterification [6].…”

Biofuel as an alternative shipping fuel: technological, environmental and economic assessment

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Marine transportation is facing harder requirements and to act upon the Paris Agreement and reduce greenhouse gas on fuel quality and exhaust emissions as stricter regulations are enforced in different regions of the world. [2][3][4] The introduction of Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with a maximum of 0.1 % sulphur allowed in marine fuel since 2015 will increase the demand for low sulphur fuels. 6,7 Nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission regulation is also introduced in a stepwise manner since 2016 increasing the pressure on low NOX energy conversion.…”

“…Biofuels is seen as most viable option for reducing shipping emissions. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Compared to the currently used marine fuel oil and marine diesel, bio-derived fuels is environmentally friendly, renewable and clean. Furthermore, the fuel properties and combustion characteristics are similar to the fossil fuels (HFO, MDO and LNG).…”

“…Furthermore, the fuel properties and combustion characteristics are similar to the fossil fuels (HFO, MDO and LNG). [2][3][4] The promising renewable alternatives to HFO, distillate fuels and LNG in short to medium term perspective are SVO, biodiesel and bio-LNG respectively. Pyrolysis oil, FT-diesel and bio-methanol are also promising alternative but in longer term perspective.…”

“…Pyrolysis oil, FT-diesel and bio-methanol are also promising alternative but in longer term perspective. [2][3][4] All these fuels are virtually sulphur free, and maybe used for compliance with sulphur content and other emission regulations.…”