Life-cycle assessments (LCA) of biodistillate fuels are becoming increasingly important for policy decisions regarding alternative fuels. However, due to the data-intensive and assumptive nature of LCAs, rarely do two different studies produce comparable results. To add to the complexity, effects of indirect land use changes are now being incorporated into LCA models. This development is influencing policy decisions and generating much controversy.A literature survey of 55 different LCA studies of bio-distillate fuels was conducted. The comparison of energy requirements and global warming potential (GWP) impacts of these studies help to illustrate which data inputs and assumptions most strongly affect the results, and wherein the major discrepancies lie.Life-cycle energy results are typically reported as energy return (ER), meaning the heating value of the biofuel divided by the total fossil energy inputs to produce the fuels. Most studies report significantly higher ER values for biodistillates (both biodiesel and renewable diesel) compared to conventional diesel fuel. Similarly, most LCA studies show significant GWP reductions for biodistillates compared to conventional diesel. However, due to lack of consistency in LCA approaches and assumptions, considerable uncertainty still exists regarding the accuracy of most LCA results.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Biodistillate Transportation Fuels 3 - Life Cycle Impacts


    Additional title:

    Sae Int. J. Fuels Lubr
    Sae International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SAE 2009 Powertrains Fuels and Lubricants Meeting ; 2009



    Publication date :

    2009-11-02


    Size :

    29 pages




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Biodistillate transportation fuels 3 - life cycle impacts

    Hoekman,S.K. / Gertler,A.W. / Broch,A: et al. | Automotive engineering | 2009


    A Life Cycle Comparison of Alternative Transportation Fuels

    Maclean, Heather / Lave, Lester / Lankey, Rebecca et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2000


    A life cycle comparison of alternative transportation fuels

    Joshi,S. / Lave,L. / MacIan,H. et al. | Automotive engineering | 2000


    A Life Cycle Comparison of Alternative Transportation Fuels

    Joshi, S. / Lave, L. / Maclean, H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Biodistillate transportation fuels 2 - emissions impacts

    Robbins,C. / Hoekman,S.K. / Gertler,A. et al. | Automotive engineering | 2009