Chapter 3 - Life cycle assessment of renewable diesel production

Abstract

Renewable fuels have received increasing attention from governments, industries and academics to reduce transportation sector pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The liquid fuels derived from biomass have gained attention due to the potential for lower life cycle GHG emissions and the potential to diversify the energy supply. The present chapter discusses renewable diesel derived from vegetable oils and fats and various approaches for renewable diesel production. The chapter discusses the pathways for renewable diesel production, including hydrodeoxygenation and hydrothermal deoxygenation processes and hydrothermal liquefaction process. The chapter details the life cycle assessment (LCA) process for renewable diesel. Product assessment studies and three case studies are discussed, including LCA of renewable diesel production from the lignocellulosic biomass, palm oil and miscanthus via anaerobic digestion.