In this paper, the analysis of the environmental impacts of a biopolymer based on starch is presented. These impacts were calculated from a cradle to gate LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), based on UNEEN ISO 14040:2006 ...In this paper, the analysis of the environmental impacts of a biopolymer based on starch is presented. These impacts were calculated from a cradle to gate LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), based on UNEEN ISO 14040:2006 and UNEEN ISO 14044, using as functional unit 1 kg of produced biomaterial. The impact categories analyzed were global wanning, ozone depletion, acidification and eutrophication. The results indicate that the electricity causes the highest impacts in the global warming and ozone depletion categories, but compared to synthetic polymers, the emissions are low. Finally, in the case of eutrophication, the impacts are similar to other biopolymers but higher in comparison with petroleum-based polymers like HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).展开更多
Oil hydrotreating units in refineries are aimed at reducing the sulfur content of fuels to accomplish standard par-ticular specifications. However, this process is currently one of the best available technologies to p...Oil hydrotreating units in refineries are aimed at reducing the sulfur content of fuels to accomplish standard par-ticular specifications. However, this process is currently one of the best available technologies to produce biofuels from vegetable oil in a refinery. Vegetable oils can be processed or co-processed in these units if several adaptations are performed, so some properties could be improved in comparison with conventional fuel such as density and cetane number. This study highlights the theoretical greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions (using a life cycle assessment–LCA-approach) of a hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) from bibliographical data. Results were compared with other biofuel production processes, such as those obtained by transesterification of vegetable oil (FAME, fatty acid methyl ester). It has also been included the comparison with conventional fossil diesel as a benchmark in order to assess the theoretical compliance with GHG savings proposed in European Directive 2009/28/EC. Finally, ongoing projects and future perspectives in Spain are mentioned.展开更多
文摘In this paper, the analysis of the environmental impacts of a biopolymer based on starch is presented. These impacts were calculated from a cradle to gate LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), based on UNEEN ISO 14040:2006 and UNEEN ISO 14044, using as functional unit 1 kg of produced biomaterial. The impact categories analyzed were global wanning, ozone depletion, acidification and eutrophication. The results indicate that the electricity causes the highest impacts in the global warming and ozone depletion categories, but compared to synthetic polymers, the emissions are low. Finally, in the case of eutrophication, the impacts are similar to other biopolymers but higher in comparison with petroleum-based polymers like HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).
文摘Oil hydrotreating units in refineries are aimed at reducing the sulfur content of fuels to accomplish standard par-ticular specifications. However, this process is currently one of the best available technologies to produce biofuels from vegetable oil in a refinery. Vegetable oils can be processed or co-processed in these units if several adaptations are performed, so some properties could be improved in comparison with conventional fuel such as density and cetane number. This study highlights the theoretical greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions (using a life cycle assessment–LCA-approach) of a hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) from bibliographical data. Results were compared with other biofuel production processes, such as those obtained by transesterification of vegetable oil (FAME, fatty acid methyl ester). It has also been included the comparison with conventional fossil diesel as a benchmark in order to assess the theoretical compliance with GHG savings proposed in European Directive 2009/28/EC. Finally, ongoing projects and future perspectives in Spain are mentioned.