The role of life cycle assessment in exploring sustainable power generation from biodiesel: a case study of the Moghan region.

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Biosystem engineering, University of mohaghegh Ardabili

2 1- Department of Biosystem engineering, Faculty of agriculture and natural research, University of Mohaghegh ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

This study has been conducted on the vital role of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a comprehensive method to evaluate the sustainability of biodiesel power generation, with a case focus on Moghan region. Life cycle assessment covers all stages of biodiesel's life cycle, including production, distribution and use, and provides a complete view of its environmental impacts. This study uses methods such as cradle-to-grave analysis, carbon footprint calculation, and various impact assessments to measure environmental outcomes. This article examines the distinctive features of Moghan region with regard to local agricultural practices, biodiesel production methods from rapeseed as the dominant oil crop in the region, and energy consumption trends. The results show that the use of fuel, plastic and gas in rapeseed cultivation has the most intermediate effects (about 5-25% higher than other inputs) in Moghan region. In addition, electricity consumption significantly (about 200-300% more than other inputs) affects the intermediate effects during the rapeseed oil extraction process in Moghan region. Evaluations show that inputs of water (on average about 300, 350, 250 and 400% more than oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and methanol) and electricity (on average about 150, 170, 120 and 200% more than oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and methanol) can contribute the most to the environmental impacts in the biodiesel production stage from rapeseed oil in the biodiesel region. In addition, this study identifies that the biodiesel fuel itself has the greatest effect on the intermediate indicators of electricity production from canola-derived biodiesel.

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Main Subjects

Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 9, Issue 3
September 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 19 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 27 October 2024

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