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Carbon footprint of biobutanol by ABE fermentation from corn and sugarcane

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  • Väisänen, S.
  • Havukainen, J.
  • Uusitalo, V.
  • Havukainen, M.
  • Soukka, R.
  • Luoranen, M.

Abstract

This article focuses on the saving potential of butanol as regards greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is known that butanol can be used as a biofuel to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions from transport and that butanol may overcome blend wall limitations better than ethanol. However, the GHG emissions of butanol are not well known. The study is based on two case studies: corn butanol production in the USA and sugarcane butanol production in Brazil. Results obtained for GHG emissions show 79–122 gCO2−eq/MJ for corn butanol and –55—18 gCO2−eq/MJ for sugarcane butanol. Our results suggest that in the cases studied, producing butanol from corn (with the current cultivation and process practices) does not lead to GHG emission savings. On the other hand, producing butanol from sugarcane seems to have potential for GHG emission reductions in certain conditions. We highlight the differences between these two production chains and discuss how GHG emissions from these biofuel chains could be reduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Väisänen, S. & Havukainen, J. & Uusitalo, V. & Havukainen, M. & Soukka, R. & Luoranen, M., 2016. "Carbon footprint of biobutanol by ABE fermentation from corn and sugarcane," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 401-410.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:89:y:2016:i:c:p:401-410
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.12.016
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    1. Bjart Holtsmark, 2012. "Harvesting in boreal forests and the biofuel carbon debt," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 112(2), pages 415-428, May.
    2. Uusitalo, V. & Väisänen, S. & Havukainen, J. & Havukainen, M. & Soukka, R. & Luoranen, M., 2014. "Carbon footprint of renewable diesel from palm oil, jatropha oil and rapeseed oil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 103-113.
    3. Balat, Mustafa & Balat, Havva, 2009. "Recent trends in global production and utilization of bio-ethanol fuel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(11), pages 2273-2282, November.
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    3. Taitiya Kenneth Yuguda & Yi Li & Bobby Shekarau Luka & Goziya William Dzarma, 2020. "Incorporating Reservoir Greenhouse Gas Emissions into Carbon Footprint of Sugar Produced from Irrigated Sugarcane in Northeastern Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-24, December.
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    5. Collotta, M. & Champagne, P. & Tomasoni, G. & Alberti, M. & Busi, L. & Mabee, W., 2019. "Critical indicators of sustainability for biofuels: An analysis through a life cycle sustainabilty assessment perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
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