Increasing biodiesel production has been favored in the last decades due to strict requirements on reduction in GHG emissions in the transportation sector, especially related to diesel fuel. Meanwhile, crude glycerol by-product in the transesterification process has been increased, becoming a bio-based alternative of common glycerin, derived from oil, mainly used in pharmaceutic and cosmetic sectors. However, the current market does not absorb bio-glycerol supply because it should be treated, with noticeable additional costs. Recent researches have tested an innovative use of bio-glycerol as a fuel (Beatrice et al in Appl Energy 102:63–71, Beatrice et al. 2013; Bohon et al in Proc Combust Inst 33:2717–2724, 2011; Quispe et al in Renew Sustain Energy Rev 27:475–493, 2013). This chapter presents the carbon footprint of co-pyrolysis process of crude glycerol in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant following life cycle assessment method and the CF value was compared with the CFs of other common CHP plant. In order to evaluate the influence of the applied allocation procedure, three allocation approaches were followed: substitution method, energy allocation, and exergy allocation. The carbon footprint of the plant varies from 0.14 kg of CO2-eq/kWh, according to the substitution method, to 0.39 kg of CO2-eq/kWh, according to the exergy allocation. In each case, the impact is lower than the other common examined technologies. The use stage is the most impactful with respect to the other life cycle stages. However, recovered heat allows to avoid about 0.34 kg of CO2-eq per kWh of electricity produced. The study aims to evidence the sustainability of energy valorization of crude glycerol.
Energy Valorization of Bio-glycerol: Carbon Footprint of Co-pyrolysis Process of Crude Glycerol in a CHP Plant
Scrucca F.;Fantozzi F.;Bartocci P.;Zampilli M.
2019
Abstract
Increasing biodiesel production has been favored in the last decades due to strict requirements on reduction in GHG emissions in the transportation sector, especially related to diesel fuel. Meanwhile, crude glycerol by-product in the transesterification process has been increased, becoming a bio-based alternative of common glycerin, derived from oil, mainly used in pharmaceutic and cosmetic sectors. However, the current market does not absorb bio-glycerol supply because it should be treated, with noticeable additional costs. Recent researches have tested an innovative use of bio-glycerol as a fuel (Beatrice et al in Appl Energy 102:63–71, Beatrice et al. 2013; Bohon et al in Proc Combust Inst 33:2717–2724, 2011; Quispe et al in Renew Sustain Energy Rev 27:475–493, 2013). This chapter presents the carbon footprint of co-pyrolysis process of crude glycerol in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant following life cycle assessment method and the CF value was compared with the CFs of other common CHP plant. In order to evaluate the influence of the applied allocation procedure, three allocation approaches were followed: substitution method, energy allocation, and exergy allocation. The carbon footprint of the plant varies from 0.14 kg of CO2-eq/kWh, according to the substitution method, to 0.39 kg of CO2-eq/kWh, according to the exergy allocation. In each case, the impact is lower than the other common examined technologies. The use stage is the most impactful with respect to the other life cycle stages. However, recovered heat allows to avoid about 0.34 kg of CO2-eq per kWh of electricity produced. The study aims to evidence the sustainability of energy valorization of crude glycerol.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
