Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System
Energy and environmental effects of wheat-based fuel, produced continuously by a Blenke cascade system, were assessed. Two scenarios: (1) no-co-products utilization scenario; and (2) co-products utilization scenario, were compared. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model was used for analysis. The scope...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2013-04-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/6/4/2065 |
| _version_ | 1811305536905281536 |
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| author | Reinhard Kohlus Jean Nepomuscene Ntihuga Thomas Senn Peter Gschwind |
| author_facet | Reinhard Kohlus Jean Nepomuscene Ntihuga Thomas Senn Peter Gschwind |
| author_sort | Reinhard Kohlus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Energy and environmental effects of wheat-based fuel, produced continuously by a Blenke cascade system, were assessed. Two scenarios: (1) no-co-products utilization scenario; and (2) co-products utilization scenario, were compared. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model was used for analysis. The scope covered a cradle-to-gate inventory. The results from energy analysis showed, that wheat-based ethanol has a positive average net energy value (NEV), NEV = 3.35 MJ/kg ethanol with an average net energy ratio (NER), NER = 1.14 MJ/MJ fossils for scenario 1, while for scenario 2, NEV = 20 MJ/kg ethanol with NER = 3.94 MJ/MJ fossils. The environmental performance analysis indicated that in scenario 1, the strongest contribution to environmental impacts was from the ethanol conversion stage; whereas in scenario 2, it was from wheat production stage. The use of a continuous fermentation system based on Blenke cascade is a promising technology that increases wheat based bio-ethanol’s energy benefits. In addition, the calculated parameters show the potential to significantly reduce emissions level. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:28:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be466f35c69c4242b225b37e67d436be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:28:21Z |
| publishDate | 2013-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-be466f35c69c4242b225b37e67d436be2022-12-22T02:54:22ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732013-04-01642065208310.3390/en6042065Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade SystemReinhard KohlusJean Nepomuscene NtihugaThomas SennPeter GschwindEnergy and environmental effects of wheat-based fuel, produced continuously by a Blenke cascade system, were assessed. Two scenarios: (1) no-co-products utilization scenario; and (2) co-products utilization scenario, were compared. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model was used for analysis. The scope covered a cradle-to-gate inventory. The results from energy analysis showed, that wheat-based ethanol has a positive average net energy value (NEV), NEV = 3.35 MJ/kg ethanol with an average net energy ratio (NER), NER = 1.14 MJ/MJ fossils for scenario 1, while for scenario 2, NEV = 20 MJ/kg ethanol with NER = 3.94 MJ/MJ fossils. The environmental performance analysis indicated that in scenario 1, the strongest contribution to environmental impacts was from the ethanol conversion stage; whereas in scenario 2, it was from wheat production stage. The use of a continuous fermentation system based on Blenke cascade is a promising technology that increases wheat based bio-ethanol’s energy benefits. In addition, the calculated parameters show the potential to significantly reduce emissions level.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/6/4/2065bio-ethanolBlenke cascade systemlife-cycle assessmentwheatscenarios |
| spellingShingle | Reinhard Kohlus Jean Nepomuscene Ntihuga Thomas Senn Peter Gschwind Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System Energies bio-ethanol Blenke cascade system life-cycle assessment wheat scenarios |
| title | Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System |
| title_full | Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System |
| title_fullStr | Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System |
| title_short | Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System |
| title_sort | estimating energy and eco balances for continuous bio ethanol production using a blenke cascade system |
| topic | bio-ethanol Blenke cascade system life-cycle assessment wheat scenarios |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/6/4/2065 |
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