Policy implications of allocation methods in the life cycle analysis of integrated corn and corn stover ethanol production

Canter, Christina E.; Dunn, Jennifer B.; Han, Jeongwoo; Wang, Zhichao; Wang, Michael

doi:10.1007/s12155-015-9664-4

Policy implications of allocation methods in the life cycle analysis of integrated corn and corn stover ethanol production

Journal Article · Tue Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · BioEnergy Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-015-9664-4· OSTI ID:1245214

Canter, Christina E. ^[1]; Dunn, Jennifer B. ^[1]; Han, Jeongwoo ^[1]; Wang, Zhichao ^[2]; Wang, Michael ^[1]

Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
EcoEngineers, Des Moines, IA (United States)

Here, a biorefinery may produce multiple fuels from more than one feedstock. The ability of these fuels to qualify as one of the four types of biofuels under the US Renewable Fuel Standard and to achieve a low carbon intensity score under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard can be strongly influenced by the approach taken to their life cycle analysis (LCA). For example, in facilities that may co-produce corn grain and corn stover ethanol, the ethanol production processes can share the combined heat and power (CHP) that is produced from the lignin and liquid residues from stover ethanol production. We examine different LCA approaches to corn grain and stover ethanol production considering different approaches to CHP treatment. In the baseline scenario, CHP meets the energy demands of stover ethanol production first, with additional heat and electricity generated sent to grain ethanol production. The resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for grain and stover ethanol are 57 and 25 g-CO₂eq/MJ, respectively, corresponding to a 40 and 74% reduction compared to the GHG emissions of gasoline. We illustrate that emissions depend on allocation of burdens of CHP production and corn farming, along with the facility capacities. Co-product handling techniques can strongly influence LCA results and should therefore be transparently documented.

Research Organization:: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1245214

Journal Information:: BioEnergy Research, Journal Name: BioEnergy Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN 1939-1234

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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