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Comparative life cycle assessment of wood pellet supply chains: Evaluating torrefaction, hydrothermal carbonization and steam explosion pre-treatment pathways

Author

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  • He, Changliu
  • Wei, Yuanyuan
  • Liu, Yang
  • Yu, Hejie
  • Zhang, Xu
  • Yun, Huimin
  • Dai, Jianjun
  • Bi, Xiaotao

Abstract

Wood pellet fuels are recognized as a sustainable alternative to coal due to their lower lifecycle CO2 emissions and higher combustion calorific value. British Columbia (BC), Canada, with its abundant forestry resources and substantial wood chip byproducts from wood processing, offers an ideal environment for developing a low-carbon wood pellet industry. This study provides a comprehensive lifecycle comparison of three pretreatment pathways—torrefaction (TOR), hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and steam explosion (SE)—in terms of energy use, CO2 emissions, and economic performance. Results demonstrate that the TOR pathway consumes the least energy (0.0383 GJ electricity/GJ pellets), emits the least CO2 (2056 g CO2-eq/GJ pellet), and has the lowest delivery cost ($13.91/GJ pellet). In contrast, the SE pathway exhibits the highest values in all categories. The differences stem mainly from variations in production processes and transportation. The findings affirm that TOR remains the most suitable method for converting woody biomass into pellet fuel, consistent with its current industrial dominance. Although HTC and SE are still largely confined to small-medium scale trials, further optimization could enhance their competitiveness. This systematic comparative assessment offers valuable insights for the development of biomass energy in BC and other forest-rich regions, supporting informed decision-making for sustainable pellet production.

Suggested Citation

  • He, Changliu & Wei, Yuanyuan & Liu, Yang & Yu, Hejie & Zhang, Xu & Yun, Huimin & Dai, Jianjun & Bi, Xiaotao, 2026. "Comparative life cycle assessment of wood pellet supply chains: Evaluating torrefaction, hydrothermal carbonization and steam explosion pre-treatment pathways," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:258:y:2026:i:c:s0960148125026576
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124993
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    References listed on IDEAS

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