Page 105 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Life-Cycle Assessment of Biomethane 91

5 Conclusion

Lignocellulosic biomass is available in substantial quantities all over the globe and
is a promising source of biofuel when digested anaerobically in a digester. LCA
studies are important in analyzing biofuel sources from cradle to grave to deter-
mine optimal biofuel strategies. Grass and grass silage have recently been con-
sidered in many European countries as the crop of transport fuel. These feedstocks
are perennial in nature and have high yields and volatile contents, which make
them beneficial feedstocks for biomethane production. A GHG emission savings of
89 % is achieved by grass silage if digested anaerobically and biomethane is used
as a transport fuel.

References

Bauen A (2005) Biomass in Europe. In: Silveira S (ed) Bioenergy-realizing the potential.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 19–30
Berglund M, Börjesson P (2006) Assessment of energy performance in the life cycle of biogas
production. Biomass Bioenergy 30:254–266. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2005.11.011
IEA Bioenergy (2009) Sustainable bioenergy—a reliable energy option. Report prepared for IEA
Bioenergy Implementing Agreement. www.ieabioenergy.org
Börjesson P (2009) Good or bad bioethanol from a greenhouse gas perspective-what determines
this? Appl Energy 86:589–594. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.11.025
Browne JD, Murphy JD (2012) Assessment of the resource associated with biomethane from food
waste. Appl Energy Accepted
Casey JW, Holden NM (2005) Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Irish milk
production system. Agric Syst 86:97–114
Chahal DS, Mcguirc S, Pikor H, et al (1981) In: Proceedings of the 2nd world congress of
chemical engineering. Montreal, Canada, October, 4–9
Chandra R, Takeuchi H, Hasegawa T (2012) Methane production from lignocellulosic
agricultural crop wastes: A review in context to second generation of biofuel production.
Renew Sustain Energy Rev 16:1462–1476
Cherubini F, Bird ND, Cowie A et al (2009) Energy-and greenhouse gas-based LCA of biofuel
and bioenergy systems: key issues, ranges and recommendations. Resour Conserv Recycl
53:434–447. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2009.03.013
Cho JK, Park SC (1995) Biochemical methane potential and solid state anaerobic digestion of
Korean food wastes’. Bioresour Technol 52(3):245–253
Clark JH, Budarin V, Deswarte FEI et al (2006) Green chemistry and the biorefinery: a
partnership for a sustainable future. Green Chem 8:853–860
Colchester M, Jiwan N, Andiko et al (2006) Promised land: palm oil and land acquisition in
Indonesia: implications for local communities and Indigenous Peoples. Forest Peoples
Programme/Perkumpulan Sawit Watch, London/Bogor
Consoli F, Allen D, Boustead I, et al (1993) Guidelines for life-cycle assessment: a ‘‘Code of
practice’’. In: Proceedings of society of environmental toxicology and chemistry (SETAC).
SETAC Workshop, Sesimbra, 31 Mar–3 Apr
Dena HM, Kontges A, Rostek S (2009) Biogaspartner—a joint initiative. Biogas grid injection in
Germany and Europe-Market, Technology and Players. German Energy Agency, HP Druck,
Berlin