title: Energy life cycle assessment of rice straw bio-energy derived from potential gasification technologies.
abstract: To be a viable alternative, a biofuel should provide a net energy gain and be capable of being produced in large quantities without reducing food supplies. Amounts of agricultural waste are produced and require treatment, with rice straw contributing the greatest source of such potential bio-fuel in Taiwan. Through life-cycle accounting, several energy indicators and four potential gasification technologies (PGT) were evaluated. The input energy steps for the energy life cycle assessment (ELCA) include collection, generator, torrefaction, crushing, briquetting, transportation, energy production, condensation, air pollution control and distribution of biofuels to the point of end use. Every PGT has a positive energy benefit. The input of energy required for the transportation and pre-treatment are major steps in the ELCA. On-site briquetting of refused-derived fuel (RDF) provides an alternative means of reducing transportation energy requirements. Bio-energy sources, such as waste rice straw, provide an ideal material for the bio-fuel plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, National I-Lan University, 1, Sec. 1, Shen-Lung Road, I-Lan 26041, Taiwan. jlshie@niu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Je-Lueng
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shie
authors.forename: Ching-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ci-Syuan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Dai-Gee
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Yi-Hung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.forename: Hsiao-Kan
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry*; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry*; D013624:Taiwan; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D014866:Waste Products