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Sustainability Assessment of a Biorefinery Complex in Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Shabbir H. Gheewala

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
    Center for Energy Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand)

  • Sébastien Bonnet

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
    Center for Energy Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand)

  • Kritana Prueksakorn

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
    Center for Energy Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand)

  • Pariyapat Nilsalab

    (The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
    Center for Energy Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand)

Abstract

In this paper, a biorefinery complex in Thailand was assessed vis-à-vis sustainability. The complex studied includes plantations of sugarcane and a biorefinery system composed of several units including, a sugar mill, power plant, ethanol factory and fertilizer plant. The assessment aimed at evaluating the environmental and socio-economic implications relating to molasses-based ethanol production and use, and maximized utilization of the biomass materials produced as part of the biorefinery complex. Global warming potential, human development index and total value added are the three indicators that were selected to perform the assessment. The results obtained revealed that the maximization of biomass utilization at the level of the biorefinery complex provide greenhouse gases emissions reduction benefits, enhanced living conditions for sugarcane farmers and employees of the biorefinery, and economic benefits, particularly with regard to profit and income generation. These results could serve as a first step to further improve and design indicators for sustainability assessment of biomass utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Shabbir H. Gheewala & Sébastien Bonnet & Kritana Prueksakorn & Pariyapat Nilsalab, 2011. "Sustainability Assessment of a Biorefinery Complex in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:3:y:2011:i:3:p:518-530:d:11754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Silalertruksa, Thapat & Gheewala, Shabbir H. & Sagisaka, Masayuki, 2009. "Impacts of Thai bio-ethanol policy target on land use and greenhouse gas emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(Supplemen), pages 170-177, November.
    2. Silalertruksa, Thapat & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2009. "Environmental sustainability assessment of bio-ethanol production in Thailand," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 1933-1946.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christina Wulf & Jasmin Werker & Christopher Ball & Petra Zapp & Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs, 2019. "Review of Sustainability Assessment Approaches Based on Life Cycles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-43, October.
    2. Abdul Rehman & Luan Jingdong, 2017. "An econometric analysis of major Chinese food crops: An empirical study," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1323372-132, January.
    3. Gabisa, Elias W. & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2020. "Can substitution of imported gasoline by locally produced molasses ethanol in Ethiopia be sustainable? An eco-efficiency assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    4. Silalertruksa, Thapat & Gheewala, Shabbir H. & Pongpat, Patcharaporn, 2015. "Sustainability assessment of sugarcane biorefinery and molasses ethanol production in Thailand using eco-efficiency indicator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 603-609.

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