1. Life-Cycle Assessment of Oilseeds for Biojet Production Using Localized Cold-Press Extraction
- Author
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Xianhui Zhao, James J. Stone, Lin Wei, and Heidi L. Sieverding
- Subjects
Crops, Agricultural ,Greenhouse Effect ,Engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,Rapeseed ,020209 energy ,02 engineering and technology ,Agricultural engineering ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Raw material ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Agricultural productivity ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Life-cycle assessment ,Water Science and Technology ,biology ,business.industry ,Agriculture ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,Camelina ,Renewable energy ,Agronomy ,Biofuel ,Biofuels ,Greenhouse gas ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,business - Abstract
As nonfood oilseed varieties are being rapidly developed, new varieties may affect agricultural production efficiency and life-cycle assessment results. Current, detailed feedstock production information is necessary to accurately assess impacts of the biofuel life-cycle. The life-cycle impacts of four nonfood oilseeds (carinata [ L. Braun], camelina [ L. Crantz], canola or rapeseed [ L.], and sunflower [ L.]) were modeled using Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model to compare feedstocks for renewable biojet production using cold-press oil extraction. Only feedstock-related inputs were varied, allowing isolation of feedstock influence. Carinata and camelina performed slightly better than other oilseed crops at most product stages and impact categories as a result of current, low-input agricultural information and new feedstock varieties. Between 40 to 50% of SO and NO emissions, ∼25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ∼40% of total energy consumption for the biojet production impact occurred during feedstock production. Within the first standard deviation, total well-to-tank emissions varied between ∼13% (GHG) and ∼35% (SO) for all feedstocks emphasizing the importance of accurate agricultural production information. Nonfood oilseed feedstock properties (e.g., oil content, density) and agricultural management (e.g., fertilization, yield) affect life-cycle assessment results. Using biofuels in feedstock production and focusing on low-impact management would assist producers in improving overall product sustainability.
- Published
- 2016
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