Life cycle assessment of bio-fermentation ethanol production and its influence in China's steeling industry. (15th April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Lingyun; Shen, Qun; Pang, Cheng Heng; Chao, Wei; Tong, Shuhuan; Kow, Kien Woh; Lester, Edward; Wu, Tao; Shang, Li; Song, Xuehang; Sun, Nannan; Wei, Wei
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 397(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04-15
• Subjects: Bio-fermentation technology -- Ethanol production -- Environmental footprint -- Life cycle assessment; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Conversion of Linz-Donawitz Gas from steeling industry into ethanol (LDG-ethanol) was demonstrated to be a promising route for value-added utilization of tail-gas. However, a systematic and objective understanding of the environmental impact benefits is still lacking. In this work, the environmental footprint of the technology is systematically evaluated by life cycle assessment (LCA) and compared with its competitors under different scenarios development. The assessment results show that LDG-ethanol route is the most environmentally benign option, whose environmental impact value is 22%–25% lower than that of Corn-ethanol and Coal-ethanol routes. More importantly, electricity as the key determining factor, the environmental footprint of LDG-ethanol can be further decreased by 15%–68% via lowering electricity consumption and introducing of green power. As grid decarbonization gradually, such interesting characteristics endowed LDG-ethanol with enormous potential to achieve the decarbonization goal. Based on the LCA analysis, the carbon reduction potential, economic benefits, and early opportunities of the LDG-ethanol technology are further analysed in the context of the Chinese steel industry to inspire heavy industries seek new technologies for re-use CO/CO2 -containing waste gases. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Steeling industry's LDG to ethanol was demonstrated to be a feasible technology for value-added utilization of tail-gas. Life cycle environmental impact from LDG-ethanol is >20% lower than that of Corn-ethanol and Coal-ethanol routes. Optimizing power in the LDG-ethanol process is supposed to improve environmental performance effectively. The environmental advantages of LDG-ethanol route remain even with electricity decarbonization.