Exergy analysis of the valorisation of rice straw for energy purposes with a life cycle approach: rice production in Cuba

Abstract

In this paper, the exergy analysis methodology is used to analyse four alternatives for the valorisation of rice straw for energy purposes in Cuba. The exergy input and output of the product (%), the exergy destroyed (MJ) and the exergetic efficiency (%) are calculated. The exergetic efficiency increases in the three alternatives where rice straw is valorised for energetic purposes. In alternative 4, where it is considered the production of biomethane (to replace 60% of the diesel fuel for harvesting and transportation of products) and electricity via biogas, the exergetic efficiency reaches values of 66.6%. The exergy flow contained in the product increases from 13.2% to 21.9%. The increase in exergy flow in the final product also represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as emissions are avoided by generating the same amount of electricity in a thermal power plant. Alternative 4 also achieves the highest sustainability index (2.994). The cumulative exergy consumption in greenhouse gases (CExCGEI), a new indicator that considers the accumulated exergy that is destroyed in greenhouse gases, is proposed.