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Life cycle assessment of the biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass in a hydrothermal liquefaction – aqueous phase reforming integrated biorefinery

Author

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  • Zoppi, Giulia
  • Tito, Edoardo
  • Bianco, Isabella
  • Pipitone, Giuseppe
  • Pirone, Raffaele
  • Bensaid, Samir

Abstract

The use of biofuels in the transport sector is one of the strategies for its decarbonization. Here, the LCA methodology was used for the first time to assess the environmental impacts of a biorefinery where hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and aqueous phase reforming (APR) were integrated. This novel coupling was proposed to valorize the carbon loss in the HTL-derived aqueous phase, while simultaneously reducing the external H2 demand during biocrude upgrading. Corn stover (residue) and lignin-rich stream (waste) were evaluated as possible lignocellulosic feedstocks. The global warming potential (GWP) was 56.1 and 58.4 g CO2 eq/MJbiofuel, respectively. Most of the GWP was attributable to the electrolysis step in the lignin-rich stream case and to the thermal duty and platinum use in the corn stover case. Other impact categories were investigated, and an uncertainty analysis was also carried out. A sensitivity analysis on biogenic carbon, electricity/thermal energy source and alternative hydrogen supply was conducted to estimate their influence on the GWP. Finally, the two scenarios were compared with the environmental impact of fossil- and other biomass-derived fuels, also considering fuel utilization. HTL-APR allowed a 37% reduction compared to fossil diesel, further reduced to 80% with the lignin-rich stream when green energy was used.

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  • Zoppi, Giulia & Tito, Edoardo & Bianco, Isabella & Pipitone, Giuseppe & Pirone, Raffaele & Bensaid, Samir, 2023. "Life cycle assessment of the biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass in a hydrothermal liquefaction – aqueous phase reforming integrated biorefinery," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 375-385.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:206:y:2023:i:c:p:375-385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.02.011
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    4. Vetrivel Kumar Kandasamy & Arunkumar Munimathan & Silambarasan Rajendran & Ratchagaraja Dhairiyasamy, 2024. "Syngas production from aqueous phase reforming of glycerol–water mixture for compression ignition engine," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(7), pages 3803-3832, November.
    5. Simla, Tomasz & Korus, Agnieszka & Petela, Karolina & Stanek, Wojciech & Ortner, Markus & Szlęk, Andrzej, 2025. "Phy2Climate: Life Cycle Assessment of phytoremediation combined with biofuel production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    6. Morenike Ajike Peters & Carine Tondo Alves & Jude Azubuike Onwudili, 2023. "A Review of Current and Emerging Production Technologies for Biomass-Derived Sustainable Aviation Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-40, August.
    7. Jogi, Ramakrishna & Samikannu, Ajaikumar & Mäki-Arvela, Päivi & Virtanen, Pasi & Hemming, Jarl & Smeds, Annika & Mukesh, Chandrakant & Lestander, Torbjörn A. & Xu, Chunlin & Mikkola, Jyri-Pekka, 2024. "Liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass into phenolic monomers and dimers over multifunctional Pd/NbOPO4 catalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    8. Baldelli, M. & Bartolucci, L. & Cordiner, S. & De Maina, E. & Mulone, V., 2025. "Toward carbon neutral fuels: Process analysis of integrated biomass conversion routes for sustainable biofuels production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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