Page 189 - Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

Inedible vegetable-oil based biodiesel in Northern Viet Nam 173

United States (ASTM D6175), and Europe (EN 14214) (Anwar et al., 2010;
Nakpong and Wootthikanokkhan, 2010; Nguyen and Otsuka, 2016), the
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yield of Hibiscus seed (200–1500tonnesha ) was not as high as Vernicia
1
seed (1800–3000tonnesha ). However, Vernicia biodiesel could not meet
several requirements of biodiesel standards (Table 6.2). Therefore an optimal
blend of Hibiscus-Vernicia biodiesel was considered and investigated. Pre-
vious research proved that the volumetric mixture of 70% Hibiscus biodiesel
and 30% Vernicia biodiesel is an appropriate combination (Nguyen and
Otsuka, 2016). Main properties of Hibiscus-Vernicia and Pongamia biodie-
sel fuels compared to common biodiesel specifications are presented in
Table 6.2.
Since 2013, market demand for Vernicia oil, as well as its price, has
decreased gradually. Moreover, Hibiscus oil is unused material in Viet
Nam. Hence, concerning favorable physicogeographical conditions of each
plant, the employment of Pongamia in Quang Ninh Province and Hibiscus
and Vernicia intercropping in high mountainous areas near Viet Nam and
China border to produce oils as feedstocks for biodiesel production in
Northern Viet Nam is practicable.

2.6 Goal and scope of the study
The sustainability of the entire biodiesel life cycle system in Northern Viet
Nam was evaluated based on impacts of different Pongamia and Hibiscus-
Vernicia biodiesel blend systems on five main enviro-economic categories
including ecological footprint, biocapacity, ecosystem quality, human
health, and costs and benefits. Results of Triple I were used to propose fea-
sible options and implications for biodiesel policies toward sustainable
development.
The scope of this study was limited to the North of Viet Nam.

2.7 System boundary and functional unit
The boundaries started with the production Pongamia, Vernicia, and Hibis-
cus oils (raw material acquisition) and ended with the combustion of several
biodiesel fuels and their blends in targeted engines. Fig. 6.1 illustrates the
system boundaries for the life cycle assessment (LCA) of biodiesel in North-
ern Viet Nam. The entire life cycle of biodiesel production was supposed
to comprise all stages from cultivation of Pongamia in mining dump sites
and other low to middle mountainous area, and intercropping of Hibiscus
and Vernicia in high mountainous areas near national border; harvesting,