Environmental impact assessment of bio-hydrogenated diesel from hydrogen and co-product of palm oil industry

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2021-03, Vol.46 (17), p.10570-10585
• Main Authors: Boonrod, Bulin, Prapainainar, Paweena, Varabuntoonvit, Viganda, Sudsakorn, Kandis, Prapainainar, Chaiwat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bio-hydrogenated diesel; Energy consumption; Fatty acid methyl ester; Greenhouse gas; Life cycle assessment; Palm fatty acid distillate
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.03.183

Bio-hydrogenated diesel (BHD) is a second generation biofuel that can be produced from vegetable oil and hydrogen via hydroprocessing. BHD is considered as one of alternative and renewable energy. This work presents evaluation of environmental impacts of BHD produced from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) compared to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Greenhouse gas emission, energy consumption, and overall environmental impacts are assessed. System boundary is from palm oil cultivation to BHD production. The functional unit is defined as 1 kg of fuel produced at the plant. The results indicate that energy consumption of BHD-PFAD is 1.18 times higher than that of BHD-FAME, while giving GHG emission 13.56 times lower than that of BHD-FAME. The results of overall environmental impacts indicated that BHD-PFAD was 3.58 greater than that of BHD-FAME. •Environmental impact of BHD from PFAD and from FAME were assessed and compared.•Palm oil cultivation and production were included as system boundary.•BHD-PFAD was 1.18 times higher than BHD-FAME in energy consumption.•GHG emission from BHD-PFAD was 13.56 times lower than BHD-FAME.•Overall environmental impacts from PFAD was 3.58 times greater than that from FAME.