(644f) Life CYCLE Assessment of Biofuels Produced by the NEW Integrated Hydropyrolysis-Hydroconversion (IH2) Process

Edwin. A. Maleche¹, David Shonnard¹ and Terry Marker², (1) Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, (2)Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL

David Shonnard¹, PhD: 906-487-3468, fax: 906-487-3213 email: drshonna@mtu.edu

Edwin Maleche², Graduate Student: email: eamalech@mtu.edu

Terry Marker Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL

1 Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainable Futures Institute

2 Department of Chemical Engineering

Michigan Technological University

1400 Townsend drive

Houghton, MI 49931 USA

Abstract

Biofuels are alternative fuels that have the promise of reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and decreasing emission of greenhouse gases from energy consumption. The presentation analyses the environmental impacts focusing on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production, delivery, and use of biofuel using the new Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion (IH²) process. The IH²process is an innovative process for the conversion of woody biomass into hydrocarbon liquid transportation fuels in the range of gasoline and diesel.

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with diverse feedstocks production systems and delivery to the IH²facility plus producing and using these new renewable liquid fuels. The biomass feedstocks analyzed include algae (microalgae), bagasse from a sugar cane-producing locations such as Brazil or extreme southern US, corn stover from Midwest US locations, and forest feedstocks from a northern Wisconsin location.

The life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 58%–98% were calculated for IH² gasoline and diesel production and combustion use in vehicles compared to fossil fuels.  The range of savings is due to different biomass feedstocks and transportation modes and distances.  Different scenarios were conducted to understand the uncertainties in input data to the LCA model, particularly in the feedstock production section, the IH² biofuel production section, and transportation sections.