IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v282y2021ipbs0306261920316652.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Country-level potential of carbon sequestration and environmental benefits by utilizing crop residues for biochar implementation

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Qiushuang
  • Mašek, Ondřej
  • Zhao, Ling
  • Nan, Hongyan
  • Yu, Shitong
  • Yin, Jianxiang
  • Li, Zhaopeng
  • Cao, Xinde

Abstract

Conversion of biomass into biofuel and biochar with a subsequent soil storage is assumed as a prospective strategy of reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, substantial uncertainties exist in this field regarding the country-level potential of biochar carbon sequestration, indirect effects of biochar implementation on overall environment, and dominating factors. This study conducted a life cycle assessment of country-wide incorporation of biochar in agriculture, and associated potential benefits. Results showed that over 920 kg CO2e (CO2-equivalent) could be sequestrated via converting 1 t of crop residues into biochar. As an example, based on crop residues availability statistics for China in 2014, the estimated annual carbon sequestration potential could be as high as 0.50 Pg CO2e (1 Pg = 1 × 109 t). The most significant potential for biochar carbon sequestration was identified in the central south, east and northeast of China, which contributed 65% of the national biochar carbon sequestration potential. The biochar system could also contribute to mitigation of the following environmental problems: marine aquatic biodiversity destruction, surface soil and water acidification, etc. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that biochar yield, carbon content in biochar, electricity conversion efficiencies of bio-oil and pyrolysis gas were the critical parameters determining the biochar system’s overall carbon sequestration potential and environmental effects. This study provides guidance on evaluating biochar’s potential carbon sequestration capacity and comprehensive environmental impacts, as well as research and development needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Qiushuang & Mašek, Ondřej & Zhao, Ling & Nan, Hongyan & Yu, Shitong & Yin, Jianxiang & Li, Zhaopeng & Cao, Xinde, 2021. "Country-level potential of carbon sequestration and environmental benefits by utilizing crop residues for biochar implementation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:282:y:2021:i:pb:s0306261920316652
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116275
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261920316652
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116275?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang, Qing & Han, Fei & Chen, Yingquan & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2016. "Greenhouse gas emissions of a biomass-based pyrolysis plant in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1580-1590.
    2. Roy, Poritosh & Dias, Goretty, 2017. "Prospects for pyrolysis technologies in the bioenergy sector: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 59-69.
    3. Song, Shizhong & Liu, Pei & Xu, Jing & Chong, Chinhao & Huang, Xianzheng & Ma, Linwei & Li, Zheng & Ni, Weidou, 2017. "Life cycle assessment and economic evaluation of pellet fuel from corn straw in China: A case study in Jilin Province," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 373-381.
    4. Yang, Bo & Wei, Yi-Ming & Hou, Yunbing & Li, Hui & Wang, Pengtao, 2019. "Life cycle environmental impact assessment of fuel mix-based biomass co-firing plants with CO2 capture and storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Kauffman, Nathan & Dumortier, Jerome & Hayes, Dermot J. & Brown, Robert C. & Laird, David, 2014. "Producing energy while sequestering carbon? The relationship between biochar and agricultural productivity," ISU General Staff Papers 201404010700001488, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    6. Javier Fermoso & Patricia Pizarro & Juan M. Coronado & David P. Serrano, 2017. "Advanced biofuels production by upgrading of pyrolysis bio‐oil," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(4), July.
    7. Yang, Y. & Brammer, J.G. & Wright, D.G. & Scott, J.A. & Serrano, C. & Bridgwater, A.V., 2017. "Combined heat and power from the intermediate pyrolysis of biomass materials: performance, economics and environmental impact," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 639-652.
    8. Li, Rui & Zeng, Kuo & Soria, José & Mazza, Germán & Gauthier, Daniel & Rodriguez, Rosa & Flamant, Gilles, 2016. "Product distribution from solar pyrolysis of agricultural and forestry biomass residues," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 27-35.
    9. Chen, Jia & Fang, Dongdong & Duan, Feng, 2018. "Pore characteristics and fractal properties of biochar obtained from the pyrolysis of coarse wood in a fluidized-bed reactor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 54-65.
    10. Sun, Yufeng & Cai, Wenchao & Chen, Bo & Guo, Xueying & Hu, Jianjun & Jiao, Youzhou, 2017. "Economic analysis of fuel collection, storage, and transportation in straw power generation in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 194-203.
    11. Hammond, Jim & Shackley, Simon & Sohi, Saran & Brownsort, Peter, 2011. "Prospective life cycle carbon abatement for pyrolysis biochar systems in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2646-2655, May.
    12. Guo, Mingxin & Song, Weiping & Buhain, Jeremy, 2015. "Bioenergy and biofuels: History, status, and perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 712-725.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Li, Junjie & Zhang, Yueling & Yang, Yanli & Zhang, Xiaomei & Wang, Nana & Zheng, Yonghong & Tian, Yajun & Xie, Kechang, 2022. "Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of ethanol production via coal and its competitors: A comparative study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    2. Dahl Winters & Kwaku Boakye & Steven Simske, 2022. "Toward Carbon-Neutral Concrete through Biochar–Cement–Calcium Carbonate Composites: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Song, Biao & Almatrafi, Eydhah & Tan, Xiaofei & Luo, Songhao & Xiong, Weiping & Zhou, Chengyun & Qin, Meng & Liu, Yang & Cheng, Min & Zeng, Guangming & Gong, Jilai, 2022. "Biochar-based agricultural soil management: An application-dependent strategy for contributing to carbon neutrality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Meng, Fan & Rong, Guoqiang & Zhao, Ruiji & Chen, Bo & Xu, Xiaoyun & Qiu, Hao & Cao, Xinde & Zhao, Ling, 2024. "Incorporating biochar into fuels system of iron and steel industry: carbon emission reduction potential and economic analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    5. Rimsha Khan & Amna Abbas & Aitazaz A. Farooque & Farhat Abbas & Xander Wang, 2022. "Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural Fields through Bioresource Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Anand, Abhijeet & Kumar, Vivek & Kaushal, Priyanka, 2022. "Biochar and its twin benefits: Crop residue management and climate change mitigation in India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    7. Carla L. Simões & Ricardo Simoes & Ana Sofia Gonçalves & Leonel J. R. Nunes, 2023. "Environmental Analysis of the Valorization of Woody Biomass Residues: A Comparative Study with Vine Pruning Leftovers in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Andrew N. Amenaghawon & Chinedu L. Anyalewechi & Charity O. Okieimen & Heri Septya Kusuma, 2021. "Biomass pyrolysis technologies for value-added products: a state-of-the-art review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14324-14378, October.
    2. Juan Luis Aguirre & Juan Baena & María Teresa Martín & Leonor Nozal & Sergio González & José Luis Manjón & Manuel Peinado, 2020. "Composition, Ageing and Herbicidal Properties of Wood Vinegar Obtained through Fast Biomass Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Wang, Changbo & Zhang, Lixiao & Chang, Yuan & Pang, Mingyue, 2021. "Energy return on investment (EROI) of biomass conversion systems in China: Meta-analysis focused on system boundary unification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Ren, Xueyong & Shanb Ghazani, Mohammad & Zhu, Hui & Ao, Wenya & Zhang, Han & Moreside, Emma & Zhu, Jinjiao & Yang, Pu & Zhong, Na & Bi, Xiaotao, 2022. "Challenges and opportunities in microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of biomass: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    5. Kung, Chih-Chun & Mu, Jianhong E., 2019. "Prospect of China's renewable energy development from pyrolysis and biochar applications under climate change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Liu, Beibei & Wu, Qiaoran & Wang, Feng & Zhang, Bing, 2019. "Is straw return-to-field always beneficial? Evidence from an integrated cost-benefit analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 393-402.
    7. Chintala, Venkateswarlu, 2018. "Production, upgradation and utilization of solar assisted pyrolysis fuels from biomass – A technical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 120-130.
    8. Sara Rajabi Hamedani & Tom Kuppens & Robert Malina & Enrico Bocci & Andrea Colantoni & Mauro Villarini, 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Valuation of Biochar Production: Two Case Studies in Belgium," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-21, June.
    9. Yang, Yang & Liang, Sai & Yang, Yi & Xie, Guang Hui & Zhao, Wei, 2022. "Spatial disparity of life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from corn straw-based bioenergy production in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    10. Hansen, Samuel & Mirkouei, Amin & Diaz, Luis A., 2020. "A comprehensive state-of-technology review for upgrading bio-oil to renewable or blended hydrocarbon fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    11. Zhao, Zhitong & Chong, Katie & Jiang, Jingyang & Wilson, Karen & Zhang, Xiaochen & Wang, Feng, 2018. "Low-carbon roadmap of chemical production: A case study of ethylene in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 580-591.
    12. Stančin, H. & Mikulčić, H. & Wang, X. & Duić, N., 2020. "A review on alternative fuels in future energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Lee, Seokhwan & Woo, Sang Hee & Kim, Yongrae & Choi, Young & Kang, Kernyong, 2020. "Combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel-powered generator running with N-butanol/coffee ground pyrolysis oil/diesel blended fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    14. Al-Jabri, Hareb & Das, Probir & Khan, Shoyeb & AbdulQuadir, Mohammad & Thaher, Mehmoud Ibrahim & Hoekman, Kent & Hawari, Alaa H., 2022. "A comparison of bio-crude oil production from five marine microalgae – Using life cycle analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    15. Zhang, Chen & Sun, Zongxuan, 2017. "Trajectory-based combustion control for renewable fuels in free piston engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 72-83.
    16. M'Arimi, M.M. & Mecha, C.A. & Kiprop, A.K. & Ramkat, R., 2020. "Recent trends in applications of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in bioenergy production: Review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    17. Yang, Lin & Lv, Haodong & Jiang, Dalin & Fan, Jingli & Zhang, Xian & He, Weijun & Zhou, Jinsheng & Wu, Wenjing, 2020. "Whether CCS technologies will exacerbate the water crisis in China? —A full life-cycle analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    18. Anna Brunerová & Hynek Roubík & Milan Brožek & David Herák & Vladimír Šleger & Jana Mazancová, 2017. "Potential of Tropical Fruit Waste Biomass for Production of Bio-Briquette Fuel: Using Indonesia as an Example," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-22, December.
    19. Hötte, Kerstin & Pichler, Anton & Lafond, François, 2021. "The rise of science in low-carbon energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    20. Renzi, Massimiliano & Bietresato, Marco & Mazzetto, Fabrizio, 2016. "An experimental evaluation of the performance of a SI internal combustion engine for agricultural purposes fuelled with different bioethanol blends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 1069-1080.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:282:y:2021:i:pb:s0306261920316652. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.