Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

 

Evaluating the Sustainability of an Advanced Biofuel Using Attributional and Consequential Life Cycle Assessments Público Deposited

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/fj236476c

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  • Attributional and consequential life cycle assessments are useful in evaluating the environmental impacts of a process, product, or decision. Both types of life cycle assessments differ however in their scope and their ability to answer specific questions. In order to fully understand and compare the environmental impacts of a sugarcane versus napier grass derived advanced biofuel production system on Maui, HI both consequential and attributional approaches were undertaken. Results from the attributional approach identified three hotspots existing within the production process; advanced biofuel production, harvesting, and hydrogen production. Using the attributional approach napier grass was shown to have lower environmental impacts than sugarcane in all categories analyzed using the TRACI 2.1 impact assessment methods. Results from the consequential approach highlight the major differences between the two types of life cycle assessments. Under a consequential approach sugarcane showed a lower environmental impact in a majority of impact categories using the same TRACI 2.1 methods. This was mainly due to the displacement of sugar produced form sugar beets and sugarcane in other parts of the United States. The results of this study emphasize the importance of the different choices when implementing a life cycle assessment. Where possible both approaches should be undertaken in order to obtain a more complete picture of the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision.
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