Life-cycle energy and environmental analysis of bioethanol production from cassava in Thailand
Seksan Papong , Pomthong Malakul
National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
a b s t r a c t
In this study, the life-cycle energy and environmental assessment was conducted for bioethanol production from cassava in Thailand. The scope covered all stages in the life cycle of bioethanol production including cultivating, chip processing, transportation and bioethanol conversion. The input–output data were collected at plantation sites and ethanol plants which included materials usage, energy consumption, and all emissions. From the energy analysis, the results show that cassava-based bioethanol has a negative net energy value with an energy ratio was less than 1, indicating a net energy loss. For the environmental performance, the results show that throughout the life cycle of bioethanol, the conversion stage contributes most to the environmental impacts which is due to the use of coal for power and steam production in the bioethanol plants. It is suggested that a partial substitution of coal with biogas produced from existing wastewater treatment could lead to a significant reduction in the environmental impact.
Keywords:
Bioethanol
Cassava
Greenhouse gas
Life-cycle assessment
Life-cycle energy
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 8 December 2008
Received in revised form 30 August 2009
Accepted 1 September 2009
Available online 18 September 2009
