Exergetic and Life Cycle Assessment Analyses of Integrated Biowaste Gasification-Combustion System: A Study Case

Authors: Anabel Fernandez, Leandro Rodriguez-Ortiz, Rosa Rodríguez

Abstract:

Due to the negative impact of fossil fuels, renewable energies are promising sources to limit global temperature rise and damage to the environment. Also, the development of technology is focused on obtaining energetic products from renewable sources. In this study, a thermodynamic model including exergy balance and a subsequent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were carried out for four subsystems of the integrated gasification-combustion of pinewood. Results of exergy analysis and LCA showed the process feasibility in terms of exergy efficiency and global energy efficiency of the life cycle (GEELC). Moreover, the energy return on investment (EROI) index was calculated. The global exergy efficiency resulted in 67%. For pretreatment, reaction, cleaning, and electric generation subsystems, the results were 85%, 59%, 87%, and 29%, respectively. Results of LCA indicated that the emissions from the electric generation caused the most damage to the atmosphere, water, and soil. GEELC resulted in 31.09% for the global process. This result suggested the environmental feasibility of an integrated gasification-combustion system. EROI resulted in 3.15, which determines the sustainability of the process.

Keywords: Exergy analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, renewability, sustainability.

References:

[1] R. Rodriguez, G. Mazza, A. Fernandez, A. Saffe, M. Echegaray, "Prediction of the lignocellulosic winery wastes behavior during gasification process in fluidized bed: Experimental and theoretical study," J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 6. 2018, pp. 5570–5579.
[2] F. Cheng, H. Luo, L.M. Colosi, "Slow pyrolysis as a platform for negative emissions technology: An integration of machine learning models, life cycle assessment, and economic analysis," Energy Convers. Manag. 223, 2020, 113258.
[3] European Union, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Off. J. Eur. Union, 2018, pp. 1–128. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/2001/oj (accessed July 31, 2020).
[4] European Commission, A Clean Planet for all. "A European Strategic Long-Term Vision for a Prosperous Modern," Competitive and Climate Neutral Economy COM/2018/773 Final, Compet. Clim. Neutral Econ. COM/2018/773 Final. 2018.
[5] Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH)., Hydrogen Roadmap Europe: A Sustainable Pathway for the European Energy Transition, 2019.
[6] O. Jimenez, A. Curbelo, Y. Suarez, "Biomass based gasifier for providing electricity and thermal energy to off-grid locations in Cuba. Conceptual design," Energy Sustain. Dev. 16. 2012, pp. 98–102.
[7] N.P. Pérez, E.B. Machin, D.T. Pedroso, J.J. Roberts, J.S. Antunes, J.L. Silveira, "Biomass gasification for combined heat and power generation in the Cuban context: Energetic and economic analysis," Appl. Therm. Eng. 90, 2015. pp. 1–12.
[8] D. Zalazar-García, G.E. Feresin, R.A. Rodriguez, "Optimal operation variables of phenolic compounds extractions from pistachio industry waste (Pistacia vera var. Kerman) using the response surface method.," Biomass Convers. Biorefinery, 2020.
[9] D. Zalazar-García, E. Torres, L. Rodriguez-Ortiz, Y. Deng, J. Soria, V. Bucalá, R. Rodriguez, G. Mazza, "Cleaner and sustainable processes for extracting phenolic compounds from bio-waste," J. Environ. Manage. 273, 2020.
[10] V. Zuin, L. Ramin, "Green and Sustainable Separation of Natural Products from Agro-Industrial Waste: Challenges, Potentialities, and Perspectives on Emerging Approaches.," Top Curr Chem (Z) 376, 3 2018.
[11] A. Fernandez, L. Rodriguez-Ortiz, D. Asensio, R. Rodriguez, G. Mazza, "Kinetic analysis and thermodynamics properties of air/steam gasification of agricultural waste," J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 8, 2020, 103829.
[12] P. Sette, A. Fernandez, J. Soria, R. Rodriguez, D. Salvatori, G. Mazza, "Integral valorization of fruit waste from wine and cider industries," J. Clean. Prod. 242, 2020.
[13] V. Dhyani, T. Bhaskar, "A comprehensive review on the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass," Renew. Energy. 129, 2018, pp. 695–716.
[14] Y. Zhang, B. Li, H. Li, H. Liu, "Thermodynamic evaluation of biomass gasification with air in autothermal gasifiers," Thermochim. Acta. 519, 2011, pp. 65–71.
[15] K.J. Ptasinski, M.J. Prins, A. Pierik, "Exergy evaluation of biomass gasification," Energy. 32, 2007, pp. 568–574.
[16] S. Ferreira, E. Monteiro, P. Brito, C. Vilarinho, "A holistic review on biomass gasification modified equilibrium models," Energies. 12, 2019, pp. 1–31.
[17] R.A. Rodriguez, G. Mazza, M. Echegaray, A. Fernandez, D.Z. García, "Thermodynamic and Kinetic Study of Lignocellulosic Waste Gasification," in: Gasif. Low-Grade Feed., 2018.
[18] M. Echegaray, D. Zalazar-García, G. Mazza, R. Rodriguez, "Air-steam gasification of five regional lignocellulosic wastes: Exergy evaluation, Sustain.," Energy Technol. Assessments. 31, 2019, pp. 115–123.
[19] F. Samimi, T. Marzoughi, M.R. Rahimpour, Energy and exergy analysis and optimization of biomass gasification process for hydrogen production (based on air, steam and air/steam gasifying agents), Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 45, 2020, pp. 33185–33197.
[20] G. Zang, J. Zhang, J. Jia, E.S. Lora, A. Ratner, "Life cycle assessment of power-generation systems based on biomass integrated gasification combined cycles," Renew. Energy. 149, 2019, pp. 336–346.
[21] P.O. Loução, J.P. Ribau, A.F. Ferreira, "Life cycle and decision analysis of electricity production from biomass – Portugal case study," Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 108, 2019, pp. 452–480.
[22] D. Neves, H. Thunman, A. Matos, L. Tarelho, A. Gómez-Barea, "Characterization and prediction of biomass pyrolysis products," Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 37, 2011, pp. 611–630.
[23] M. Echegaray, D. Zalazar García, G. Mazza, R. Rodriguez, "Air-steam gasification of five regional lignocellulosic wastes: Exergy evaluation," Sustain. Energy Technol. Assessments. 31, 2019, pp. 115–123.
[24] Z.A. Zainal, R. Ali, C.H. Lean, K.N. Seetharamu, "Prediction of performance of a downdraft gasifier using equilibrium modeling for different biomass materials," Energy Convers. Manag. 42, 2001, pp. 1499–1515.
[25] E. Torres, L. Rodriguez-Ortiz, D. Zalazar-García, M. Echegaray, R. Rodriguez, H. Zhang, G. Mazza, "4-E (Environmental, Economic, Energetic and Exergy) analysis of 1 slow pyrolysis of lignocellulosic waste," Renew. Energy. 161, 2020.
[26] Y. Il Lim, U. Do Lee, "Quasi-equilibrium thermodynamic model with empirical equations for air-steam biomass gasification in fluidized-beds," Fuel Process. Technol. 128, 2014, pp. 199–210.
[27] A. Abuadala, I. Dincer, G.F. Naterer, "Exergy analysis of hydrogen production from biomass gasification," Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 35, 2010, pp. 4981–4990.
[28] D.R. Morris, J. Szargut, "Standard chemical exergy of some elements and compounds on the planet earth," Energy. 11 (1986) 733–755.
[29] J. Szargut, "Exergy method: technical and ecological applications," Int. Ser. Dev. Heat Transf. 18, 2005, 164.
[30] L. Jankowiak, J. Jonkman, F.J. Rossier-Miranda, A.J. van der Goot, R.M. Boom, "Exergy driven process synthesis for isoflavone recovery from okara," Energy. 74, 2014, pp. 471–483.
[31] C. Sheng, J.L.T. Azevedo, "Estimating the higher heating value of biomass fuels from basic analysis data," Biomass and Bioenergy. 28 2005, pp. 499–507.
[32] F.D. Mayer, M. Brondani, M.C. Vasquez Carrillo, R. Hoffmann, E.E. Silva Lora, "Revisiting energy efficiency, renewability, and sustainability indicators in biofuels life cycle: Analysis and standardization proposal," J. Clean. Prod. 252, 2020.
[33] J. Sheehan, V. Camobreco, J. Duffield, M. Graboski, M. Graboski, H. Shapouri, "Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Use in an Urban Bus," Final report. United States: N. p., 1998.
[34] Y. Tang, J. Dong, G. Li, Y. Zheng, Y. Chi, A. Nzihou, E. Weiss-Hortala, C. Ye, "Environmental and Exergy life cycle assessment of incineration- and gasification-based waste to energy systems in China," Energy. 205, 2020, 118002.
[35] G. Chidikofan, A. Benoist, M. Sawadogo, G. Volle, J. Valette, Y. Coulibaly, J. Pailhes, F. Pinta, "Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Tar Releases from a Biomass Gasifier Power Plant for Decentralized Electricity Generation," Energy Procedia. 118, 2017, pp. 158–163.
[36] M.M. Parascanu, M. Kaltschmitt, A. Rödl, G. Soreanu, L. Sánchez-Silva, "Life cycle assessment of electricity generation from combustion and gasification of biomass in Mexico," Sustain. Prod. Consum. 27, 2021, pp. 72–85.
[37] H.U. Ghani, S.H. Gheewala, "Comparative life cycle assessment of byproducts from sugarcane industry in Pakistan based on biorefinery concept," Biomass Convers. Biorefinery. 8, 2018, 979–990.
[38] S. Papong, C. Rewlay-ngoen, N. Itsubo, P. Malakul, "Environmental life cycle assessment and social impacts of bioethanol production in Thailand," J. Clean. Prod. 157, 2017, pp. 254–266.
[39] R.M. Lucas, S. Yazar, A.R. Young, M. Norval, F.R. De Gruijl, Y. Takizawa, L.E. Rhodes, C.A. Sinclair, R.E. Neale, "Human health in relation to exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation under changing stratospheric ozone and climate," Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 18, 2019, pp. 641–680.
[40] A. Briones-Hidrovo, J. Copa, L.A.C. Tarelho, C. Gonçalves, T. Pacheco da Costa, A.C. Dias, "Environmental and energy performance of residual forest biomass for electricity generation: Gasification vs. combustion", J. Clean. Prod. 289, 2021, 125680.