Improving the Environmental Performance of Biofuels with Industrial Symbiosis

• In the production of biofuels for transport many critics have argued about the poor energy efficiency and environmental performance of the production industries. Optimism is thus set on the production of second generation biofuels, while first generation biofuels continue to dominate worldwide. Therefore it is interesting to consider how the environmental performance of first generation biofuel industries can be bettered. The field of industrial symbiosis offers many possibilities for potential improvements in the biofuel industry. It is shown in this research that integration between the respective biofuel industries is possible. This comes in the form of by-product synergies and utility synergies which can improve material and energy handling and environmental performance of the processes. Furthermore, the processes and products can gain increased environmental performance improvements by the adaption of a renewable energy system which will act as a utility provider for many industries in a symbiotic network. By-products may thereafter be upcycled through biogas production processes to generate both energy and a bio-fertilizer. A case study of an actual biofuel industrial symbiosis is also reviewed to provide support for these theories.

Keyword

industrial symbiosis

biofuels

biodiesel

ethanol

biogas

synergies

TECHNOLOGY

TEKNIKVETENSKAP

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)