Used-cooking-oil biodiesel: Life cycle assessment and comparison with first- and third-generation biofuel

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 153; pp. 588 - 600
• Main Authors: Foteinis, Spyros, Chatzisymeon, Efthalia, Litinas, Alexandros, Tsoutsos, Theocharis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2020
• Subjects: biodiesel; carbon; Circular economy; coproducts; diesel fuel; ecological footprint; energy; environmental impact; fuel production; glycerol; Greece; kitchen waste; life cycle assessment; Life cycle inventory/assessment (LCI/LCA); markets; methanol; microalgae; potassium; potassium sulfate; recycling; sewage systems; SimaPro; supply chain; Used/waste cooking oil (UCO/WCO); Waste management and valorisation; Water pollution; Greece; Life cycle inventory/assessment (LCI/LCA); Water pollution; Circular economy; SimaPro; Used/waste cooking oil (UCO/WCO); Waste management and valorisation
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.02.022

The environmental sustainability of second-generation biodiesel (used-cooking-oil) was examined, at industrial-scale, in Greece. The total carbon and environmental footprint per tonne of biodiesel production was ∼0.55t CO2eq (i.e. ∼14g CO2eq/MJ) and 58.37 Pt, respectively. This is ∼40% lower compared to first-generation biodiesel, an order of magnitude lower than the third-generation (microalgae), since the latter is not a fully-fledged technology yet. A threefold reduction in environmental impacts was observed compared to petrodiesel. Environmental hotspots include energy inputs to drive the process, followed by methanol (CH3OH) and potassium methoxide (CH3KO) consumption. Glycerol (C3H8O3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4), both process co-products, resulted to avoided environmental burdens. Furthermore, used-cooking-oil valorisation for biodiesel production can address water pollution concerns from its disposal to the sewage system. The total distance and means of transport were found to influence the system’s environmental sustainability. Strong incentives for used-cooking-oil recycling, widespread collection systems, and biodiesel supply chain optimization are still pending in Greece, Europe, and further afield. Given its overall low environmental footprint and capability to be produced at commercial scales, the second-generation biodiesel, which currently represents 15% of the biodiesel market in Greece, could act as a stepping-stone in decarbonizing Europe’s transport sector and improving supply and energy security. [Display omitted] •Actual LCI data were collected from a commercial UCO-biodiesel production plant.•Emissions from mazut burning and methanol use contribute to environmental impacts.•Results were sensitive to UCO transportation means, mode, and distance.•UCO’s biodiesel environmental footprint was three times lower than petrodiesel’s.•It is also more environmentally sustainable than first- and third-generation biodiesel.