Life cycle assessment of biochar cofiring with coal.
This study used life cycle assessment software SimaPro 7.2 and impact assessment model IMPACT 2002+ to evaluate the environmental impact and benefits of a biochar cofiring supply chain used for electricity generation. The biochar was assumed to be produced by rice straw torrefaction and the case study was located in Taoyuan County, Taiwan. This supply chain may provide impact reduction benefits in five categories (aquatic ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, land occupation, global warming, and non-renewable energy) but cause higher impacts than coal firing systems in other categories. Damage assessment of cofiring systems indicated that damage to human health was higher while the damage categories of ecosystem quality, climate change, and resources were lower. Carbon reduction could be 4.32 and 4.68metric tons CO2eq/ha/yr at 10% and 20% cofiring ratios, respectively. The improvement of electricity generation efficiency of cofiring systems may be the most important factor for reducing its environmental impact.
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Yu-Fong
YF
Huang
Fu-Siang
FS
Syu
Pei-Te
PT
Chiueh
Shang-Lien
SL
Lo
D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004777:Environment; D017745:Incineration / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012984:Software
D003031:Coal; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal