Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Agricultural Residues (Cocoa Cortex, Sugarcane Bagasse and Oil Palm Fiber) for Power Generation in Boilers through Fuel Combustion

Abstract

Abstract Among the renewable energy resources available is biomass from agricultural waste. Herein, we propose 3 agricultural waste products (cocoa cortex, oil palm fiber and sugarcane bagasse. The environmental and energy performance of agr icultural waste used as fuel to produce 1 kWh of electr icity each in Ivory Coast was studied using the Life Cycle Assessment method. LAM is a method of environmental evaluation. It evaluates the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle, the life cycle of each of these 3 agricultural wastes is made up of collection, transport to the electricity production site and combustion of these biomasses hi the boilers of the cogeneration units. The results are as follows: In terms of global wanning impacts, for these 3 waste products (cocoa cortex, oil palm fiber and sugarcane bagasse) respectively (0.12; 0.16 and 0.19) kg CO2 eq. / kWh. hi terms of impacts on the depletion of non-renewable resources for these 3 wastes (cocoa cortex, oil palm fiber and sugarcane bagasse) respectively (0.007; 0.010 and 0.012) MJ / kWh. hi terms of eutrophication-related impacts on global warming for these 3 wastes (cocoa cortex, oil palm fiber and sugarcane bagasse) respectively (0.38; 0.4 and 0.91) g PO43-/ kWh. According to the results of the 3 impacts taken into account hi tins LCA study, it is desirable to use these 3 agricultural wastes to produce electricity with very good energy and environmental performance, instead of fossil fuels (diesel, oil and coal). Finally, the objective of this research will be to provide credible information to decision-makers (governments, private and public companies, national and international organizations and the general public) in order to promote the installation of energy production units (heat and/or electricity) based on the combustion of these 3 agricultural residues hi rural and industrial areas.