Research

18 pages, 5941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lifecycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Biochar Pellet Production from Forest Residues and Field Application

by Richard Bergman, Kamalakanta Sahoo, Karl Englund and Seyed Hashem Mousavi-Avval

Energies 2022, 15(4), 1559; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15041559 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2779

Abstract

Biochar produced from low-value forest biomass can provide substantial benefits to ecosystems and mitigate climate change-induced risks such as forest fires. Forest residues from restoration activities and timber harvest and biochar itself are bulky and thus incur high logistic costs, so are considered [...] Read more.

Biochar produced from low-value forest biomass can provide substantial benefits to ecosystems and mitigate climate change-induced risks such as forest fires. Forest residues from restoration activities and timber harvest and biochar itself are bulky and thus incur high logistic costs, so are considered major bottlenecks for the commercialization of the biochar industry. The objectives of this study were to assess the environmental footprints and techno-economic feasibility of converting forest residues in Pacific Northwest United States into biochar pellets using portable systems followed by delivery of the final product to end-users for land application (dispersion). Two portable systems (Biochar Solutions Incorporated (BSI) and Air Curtain Burner (ACB)) were considered for biochar production. A cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessment (LCA) and a discounted cash flow analysis method were used to quantify the environmental impacts and minimum selling price (MSP) of biochar. The global warming (GW) impact of biochar production through BSI and ACB was estimated to be 306–444, and 750–1016 kgCO₂eq/tonne biochar applied to the field, respectively. The MSP of biochar produced through BSI and ACB was 1674–1909 and 528–1051 USD/tonne biochar applied to the field, respectively. Pelletizing of biochar reduced GW impacts during outbound logistics (~8–20%) but increased emissions during pelletizing (~1–9%). Results show the BSI system was a more viable option in terms of GW impact, whereas the ACB system can produce biochar with lower MSP. The results of the study conclude that the production of biochar pellets through the two portable systems and applied to fields can be both an environmentally beneficial and economically viable option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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17 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Forest Products and Circular Economy Strategies: A Canadian Perspective

by Bruno Gagnon, Xavier Tanguay, Ben Amor and Anthony F. Imbrogno

Energies 2022, 15(3), 673; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15030673 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4363

Abstract

The Government of Canada has embraced circular economy and is supporting an increasing number of initiatives in the field. However, implementation examples remain scattered and certain stakeholders are eager to see a greater level of commitment from policy makers. The purpose of this [...] Read more.

The Government of Canada has embraced circular economy and is supporting an increasing number of initiatives in the field. However, implementation examples remain scattered and certain stakeholders are eager to see a greater level of commitment from policy makers. The purpose of this study is to provide a Canadian perspective on how, and to what extent, forest products are compatible with circular economy strategies. This topic was investigated through interviews with 16 Canadian experts in eco-design, circular economy, forest products and/or waste management, with a focus on construction and packaging. Efforts made by forest industries at the manufacturing stage to reduce resource consumption were acknowledged, but the implementation of other circular economy strategies, such as reuse, recycling and energy recovery, is uneven. While there is low-hanging fruit for incremental improvements, such as the processing of recovered lumber in wood panels and not mixing cardboard fibres with other paper streams to avoid downcycling, several barriers to the widespread adoption of the most promising strategies were identified. The experts consulted proposed several solutions to accelerate the deployment of circular economy strategies for forest products, for which government interventions would need to be tailored to the different policy readiness levels (PRLs) observed in the construction and packaging sectors. With circularity having economy-wide implications, setting a clear policy direction at the national level, with a circular economy roadmap for Canada for example, could accelerate coordinated implementation within and across sectors, including forest industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

19 pages, 4427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Novel Biochars and Steam Activated Carbon from Mixed Conifer Mill Residues

by Nathaniel Anderson, Hongmei Gu and Richard Bergman

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8472; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248472 - 15 Dec 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

There is increasing demand in environmental remediation and other sectors for specialized sorbents made from renewable materials rather than hard coals and minerals. The proliferation of new pyrolysis technologies to produce bio-based energy, fuels, chemicals, and bioproducts from biomass has left significant gaps [...] Read more.

There is increasing demand in environmental remediation and other sectors for specialized sorbents made from renewable materials rather than hard coals and minerals. The proliferation of new pyrolysis technologies to produce bio-based energy, fuels, chemicals, and bioproducts from biomass has left significant gaps in our understanding of how the various carbonaceous materials produced by these systems respond to processes intended to improve their adsorption properties and commercial value. This study used conventional steam activation in an industrial rotary calciner to produce activated carbon (AC) from softwood biochars made by three novel pyrolysis systems. Steam was injected across four heating zones ranging from 816 °C to 927 °C during paired trials conducted at calciner retention times of 45 min and 60 min. The surface area of the three biochars increased from 2.0, 177.3, and 289.1 m² g⁻¹ to 868.4, 1092.9, and 744.8 m² g⁻¹, respectively. AC iodine number ranged from 951 to 1218 mg g⁻¹, comparing favorably to commercial AC produced from bituminous coal and coconut shell. The results of this study can be used to operationalize steam activation as a post-processing treatment for biochar and to expand markets for biochar as a precursor in the manufacture of specialized industrial sorbents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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18 pages, 9355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Methods for Assessing Sustainability of Wood-Burning Energy Facilities: Combining Historical and Spatial Approaches

by Sarah Mittlefehldt, Erin Bunting, Emily Huff, Joseph Welsh and Robert Goodwin

Energies 2021, 14(23), 7841; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14237841 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1424

Abstract

Methods to assess wood-based bioenergy projects have tended to focus on technological and physical constraints. Less is known about how longer-term environmental, economic, and social systems—the three pillars of sustainable development—have influenced technological development in the context of woody biomass energy. This research [...] Read more.

Methods to assess wood-based bioenergy projects have tended to focus on technological and physical constraints. Less is known about how longer-term environmental, economic, and social systems—the three pillars of sustainable development—have influenced technological development in the context of woody biomass energy. This research offers new methods for assessing the sustainability of wood-based energy projects by combining spatial analysis, semi-structured interviews, and archival data analysis. By integrating quantitative and qualitative methods, this project offers ways to understand how social and environmental dynamics from the past shape technological development in the future. A propensity analysis of biomass energy plants in Michigan, USA was performed using US Census data grouped by social, economic, and environmental categories. This quantitative analysis helped to characterize community and landscape types in which woody biomass plants were developed in Michigan in the late-twentieth century. To help illustrate some of the often-hidden social and political dimensions of energy development, such as access to decision-making and attitudes toward bioenergy projects, transcripts of public hearings, media coverage, and other archival sources were examined, and 30 stakeholder interviews were conducted. By integrating these qualitative and quantitative approaches, this paper aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to assessing the sustainability of wood-based biofuel technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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20 pages, 3020 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental and Economic Assessments and Uncertainties of Multiple Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilization for Bioenergy Products: Case Studies

by Yuxi Wang, Jingxin Wang, Xufeng Zhang and Shawn Grushecky

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6277; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13236277 - 28 Nov 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2664

Abstract

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) were applied to assess the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of utilizing multiple biomass feedstocks for bioenergy products under three different technological pathways with consideration of uncertainties. Three cases were studied for the production of pellets, [...] Read more.

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) were applied to assess the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of utilizing multiple biomass feedstocks for bioenergy products under three different technological pathways with consideration of uncertainties. Three cases were studied for the production of pellets, biomass-based electricity, and pyrolysis bio-oil. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine the uncertainties of fossil energy consumption, bioenergy conversion efficiency, stochastic production rate, etc. The cradle-to-gate LCA results showed that pellet production had the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and fossil fuels consumption (8.29 kg CO₂ eq (equivalent), 0.46 kg, and 105.42 MJ, respectively). The conversion process presented a greater environmental impact for all three bioenergy products. When producing 46,929 Mg of pellets, 223,380 MWh of electricity, and 78,000 barrels of pyrolysis oil, the net present values (NPV) indicated that only pellet and electricity production were profitable with NPVs of $1.20 million for pellets, and $5.59 million for biopower. Uncertainty analysis indicated that pellet production showed the highest uncertainty in GHG emission, and bio-oil production had the least uncertainty in GHG emission but had risks producing greater-than-normal amounts of GHG. Biopower production had the highest probability to be a profitable investment with 85.23%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Pectin-Free Sugar Beet Pulp in a Simple Aqueous Phase System-Optimization with Doehlert Design

by Hanna Pińkowska, Małgorzata Krzywonos, Paweł Wolak, Przemysław Seruga, Agata Górniak, Adrianna Złocińska and Michał Ptak

Energies 2020, 13(21), 5649; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13215649 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1908

Abstract

Waste solid residue from the hydrothermal extraction of pectin derived from sugar beet pulp was used as feedstock in the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The depolymerization of pectin-free sugar beet pulp (PF-SBP) to monosaccharides and their dehydration to 5-HMF were conducted in subcritical [...] Read more.

Waste solid residue from the hydrothermal extraction of pectin derived from sugar beet pulp was used as feedstock in the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The depolymerization of pectin-free sugar beet pulp (PF-SBP) to monosaccharides and their dehydration to 5-HMF were conducted in subcritical water using a batch reactor. The experimental design methodology was used in order to model the hydrothermal process and to optimize the operational parameters of the reaction, namely temperature and holding time. These parameters are required to achieve the highest yield of 5-HMF. The model predicts, in good agreement with experimental results (R² = 0.935), an optimal yield of 5-HMF (of approximately 38% in relation to the cellulosic fraction content in the PF-SBP) at a temperature of 192.5 °C and a holding time of about 51.2 min. 5-HMF was successfully isolated from the reaction mixture using the liquid–liquid extraction method. The results are suitable for industrial upscaling and may become an incentive to introduce a new, environmentally friendly, uncomplicated, and efficient waste treatment method. The method would be used to treat products from the sugar refining industry, the treatment of which has proven to be problematic until now. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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13 pages, 2048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening Life Cycle Assessment of Tall Oil-Based Polyols Suitable for Rigid Polyurethane Foams

by Anda Fridrihsone, Arnis Abolins and Mikelis Kirpluks

Energies 2020, 13(20), 5249; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13205249 - 09 Oct 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2265

Abstract

A screening Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of tall oil-based bio-polyols suitable for rigid polyurethane (PU) foams has been carried out. The goal was to identify the hot-spots and data gaps. The system under investigation is three different tall oil fatty acids (TOFA)-based bio-polyol [...] Read more.

A screening Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of tall oil-based bio-polyols suitable for rigid polyurethane (PU) foams has been carried out. The goal was to identify the hot-spots and data gaps. The system under investigation is three different tall oil fatty acids (TOFA)-based bio-polyol synthesis with a cradle-to-gate approach, from the production of raw materials to the synthesis of TOFA based bio-polyols at a pilot-scale reactor. The synthesis steps that give the most significant environmental footprint hot-spots were identified. The results showed the bio-based feedstock was the main environmental hot-spot in the bio-polyol production process. Future research directions have been highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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14 pages, 1367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feedstock Security Analysis for Wood Pellet Production in Thailand

by Piyarath Saosee, Boonrod Sajjakulnukit and Shabbir H. Gheewala

Energies 2020, 13(19), 5126; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13195126 - 01 Oct 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3289

Abstract

Thailand is one of the upcoming wood pellet exporters in the Southeast Asia region. Wood pellet production has been gradually increasing in Thailand; however, the recent trend is more rapid. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the feedstock security for [...] Read more.

Thailand is one of the upcoming wood pellet exporters in the Southeast Asia region. Wood pellet production has been gradually increasing in Thailand; however, the recent trend is more rapid. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the feedstock security for wood pellet production in Thailand. The important issue of feedstock security analysis relates to availability and diversity of feedstock (Shannon index) to meet the increased demand for the wood pellets in the future. The results present that the feedstock supply (from waste wood and fast-growing tree wood) in Thailand is 5.32 million tonnes of wood pellets per year. However, increasing 25% of wood pellet export and 50% of wood pellet domestic use causes a deficit in fast-growing tree wood because para-rubber waste wood is not distributed uniformly in all regions of the country. The present diversity of feedstock supply is quite low (Shannon index 0.17). Increasing the fast-growing tree plantation area in the wastelands could help increase diversity. Recommendations on policy from this study focus on encouragement for the increase in domestic use of wood pellets, cultivation of fast-growing trees in wasteland and optimized logistics management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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22 pages, 2428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Biomass Gasification and Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Integrated to Sugarcane Biorefineries

by Jéssica Marcon Bressanin, Bruno Colling Klein, Mateus Ferreira Chagas, Marcos Djun Barbosa Watanabe, Isabelle Lobo de Mesquita Sampaio, Antonio Bonomi, Edvaldo Rodrigo de Morais and Otávio Cavalett

Energies 2020, 13(17), 4576; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13174576 - 03 Sep 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 4899

Abstract

Large-scale deployment of both biochemical and thermochemical routes for advanced biofuels production is seen as a key climate change mitigation option. This study addresses techno-economic and environmental aspects of advanced liquid biofuels production alternatives via biomass gasification and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis integrated to a [...] Read more.

Large-scale deployment of both biochemical and thermochemical routes for advanced biofuels production is seen as a key climate change mitigation option. This study addresses techno-economic and environmental aspects of advanced liquid biofuels production alternatives via biomass gasification and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis integrated to a typical sugarcane distillery. The thermochemical route comprises the conversion of the residual lignocellulosic fraction of conventional sugarcane (bagasse and straw), together with eucalyptus and energy-cane as emerging lignocellulosic biomass options. This work promotes an integrated framework to simulate the mass and energy balances of process alternatives and incorporates techno-economic analyses and sustainability assessment methods based on a life-cycle perspective. Results show that integrated biorefineries provide greenhouse gas emission reduction between 85–95% compared to the fossil equivalent, higher than that expected from a typical sugarcane biorefinery. When considering avoided emissions by cultivated area, biorefinery scenarios processing energy-cane are favored, however at lower economic performance. Thermochemical processes may take advantage of the integration with the typical sugarcane mills and novel biofuels policies (e.g., RenovaBio) to mitigate some of the risks linked to the implementation of new biofuel technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Bio-Based Products for the Circular Economy)

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