What is the right pathway to be sustainable? Case of biofuels and bioproducts in Europe

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "What is the right pathway to be sustainable? Case of biofuels and bioproducts in Europe"

Transcription

1 What is the right pathway to be sustainable? Case of biofuels and bioproducts in Europe CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Processes and Sustainable Development Sandra Belboom & Angélique Léonard 15/5/ Glasgow 1

2 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Production of biofuel 3. Production of HDPE 4. Results 5. Conclusions Worldwide energy context Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

3 1. Introduction 1.1. Worldwide energy context What are the next challenges? Climate change Population Renaut.com Worldwide energy context Natural ressources depletion Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

4 1. Introduction 1.1. Worldwide energy context What are the next challenges? Climate change Population Renaut.com Worldwide energy context Natural ressources depletion Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

5 1. Introduction 1.1. Worldwide energy context What are the possible solutions? For @cliketclak.skynetblogs.be For transportation sector: SUGAR CHAIN = OIL CHAIN = BIODIESEL Worldwide energy context Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

6 1. Introduction 1.1. Worldwide energy context What are the possible solutions? For @cliketclak.skynetblogs.be For transportation sector: SUGAR CHAIN = OIL CHAIN = BIODIESEL Worldwide energy context Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

7 1. Introduction 1.2. Bioethanol What crops are used? @wikipedia.org North and Central America Brazil Canada @terresacree.org 25% 23% 18% Worldwide energy context Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

8 1. Introduction 1.2. Bioethanol What crops are used? @wikipedia.org North and Central America In Europe Brazil SUGAR BEET Worldwide energy WHEAT Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

9 1. Introduction 1.3 Bioethanol uses What are the available bioethanol uses? Most common use: Biofuels Other possibility: Feedstock for chemical industry Production of autres.b Worldwide energy context Bioethanol Bioethanol uses

10 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Production of biofuel 3. Production of HDPE 4. Results 5. Conclusions Boundaries of systems From biomass to biofuel From oil to gasoline

11 2. Production of biofuel Systems boundaries Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol Combustion Biofuel Gasoline Dehydration step Refining Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to biofuel From oil to gasoline

12 2. Production of biofuel From biomass to biofuel Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol Combustion Biofuel Gasoline Dehydration step Refining Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to biofuel From oil to gasoline

13 2. Production of biofuel From oil to gasoline Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol Combustion Biofuel Gasoline Dehydration step Refining Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to biofuel From oil to gasoline

14 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Production of biofuel 3. Production of HDPE 4. Results 5. Conclusions Boundaries of systems From biomass to bioethylene From oil to ethylene

15 3. Production of HDPE Systems boundaries Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol End of Life (Bio) HDPE* Polymerization step Bioethylene Ethylene Catalytic dehydration step Refining HDPE = High Density PolyEthylene Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to ethylene From oil to ethylene

16 3. Production of HDPE From biomass to ethylene Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol End of Life (Bio) HDPE* Polymerization step Bioethylene Ethylene Catalytic dehydration step Refining HDPE = High Density PolyEthylene Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to ethylene From oil to ethylene

17 3. Production of HDPE From oil to ethylene Seeds Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Cultivation Step Crops Ethanol production plant Hydrous ethanol End of Life (Bio) HDPE* Polymerization step Bioethylene Ethylene Catalytic dehydration step Refining HDPE = High Density PolyEthylene Crude oil Boundaries of systems From biomass to ethylene From oil to ethylene

18 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Production of biofuel 3. Production of HDPE 4. Results 5. Conclusions Climate change Fossil fuel depletion Single score

19 4. Results 4.1. Climate change Climate change Fossil fuel depletion Single score

20 4. Results 4.2. Fossil fuel depletion Climate change Fossil fuel depletion Single score

21 4. Results 4.3. Single score Climate change Fossil fuel depletion Single score

22 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Production of biofuel 3. Production of HDPE 4. Results 5. Conclusions Conclusions Perspectives

23 5. Conclusions 5.1. Conclusions Importance of yield: Sugar beet allows more bioethanol per hectare than wheat Belgian yields are very high in Europe When comparing biofuel and bioplastic: Best score is obtained by sugar beet Bioplastic allows more GHG and fossil fuel consumption reduction Conclusions Perspectives

24 5. Conclusions 5.2. Perspectives Complete LCA with all other environmental impact: Human toxicity Water depletion Etc. Inclusion of consequential approach: Effects on crops, plastics and biofuels markets Definition of a hierarchy for the land occupation: Food Feed Material Fuel Conclusions Perspectives

25 Thank you for your attention! CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Processes and Sustainable Development S. Belboom, A. Léonard 15/05/2013 Glasgow