Abstract
AbstractThis study investigates the environmental performance of 2‐ethylhexanol (2‐EH), as a potential drop‐in transport fuel alternative. Three different biomass‐based production pathways are evaluated and compared using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The environmental impact of 2‐EH is assessed in terms of cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). Among the three alternative pathways, 2‐EH produced via syngas results in the lowest primary energy demand and GHG emissions under the baseline assumptions of this work. The two biochemical production pathways (via ethanol and butanol) exhibit higher CED and GWP during biomass conversion steps mainly due to process materials and chemicals used. Process specifications such as transport distance to production facility or the fate of the obtained by‐products are shown to influence the overall environmental impact of the fuel for all studied pathways. The use phase performance of 2‐EH was also considered in this work, as part of a 100% renewable blend and was compared to existing fossil and renewable fuels. The studied blend has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by more than 85% compared to fossil diesel while when certain production pathways are followed, it exhibits lower GWP than renewable fuels already in the market such as ethanol blends and biodiesel. 2‐EH can therefore provide a competitive alternative to fossil transport fuels increasing the share of renewable content in the current vehicle fleet, thus enhancing the efforts for a sustainable transport sector.
Highlights
Under the recent Paris Agreement, more than 180 countries agreed to mitigate climate change and suggested ambitious targets for reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.[1]
The European Union (EU) strives for a 60% reduction in GHG emissions from transports compared to the 1990 levels, by 2050.2 The former target of 10% of renewable fuels in the vehicle fleet by 20203 is changed to a minimum share of 14% by 2030 in the revised renewable energy directive (RED) that is expected to enter in force by the end of 2018.4
To facilitate comparisons to other studies on transport fuels, the methodology provided by the European renewable energy directive (RED) is used.[3]
Summary
Under the recent Paris Agreement, more than 180 countries agreed to mitigate climate change and suggested ambitious targets for reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.[1] The implications for the transport sector are substantial. The European Union (EU) strives for a 60% reduction in GHG emissions from transports compared to the 1990 levels, by 2050.2 The former target of 10% of renewable fuels in the vehicle fleet by 20203 is changed to a minimum share of 14% by 2030 in the revised renewable energy directive (RED) that is expected to enter in force by the end of 2018.4. Low-carbon renewable fuels and alternative powertrains (such as electric vehicles) account for Energy Sci Eng. 2019;7:851–867. ProducƟon of fuels, electricity, nutrients and chemicals.
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