Abstract
Life cycle assessment quantifies the environmental impacts of all processes used in transforming a raw material to a final product. Performed in conjunction with a technoeconomic feasibility study, the total economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of a process can be quantified. This technique can be used in project decision-making, in allocating research and capital dollars, and incomparing the viability of different projects. Additionally, life cycle assessment can distinguish between truly environmentally friendly processes which either mitigate or eliminate upstream emissions and energy consumption, and those that are only environmentally conscious in their final production step. A biomass gasification combined-cycle power plant, consisting of a low pressureindirectly-heated gasifier integrated with an industrial gas turbine, was simulated using ASPEN Plus(R). Economic analyses were then performed to determine the levelized cost of electricity. The economic viability and efficiency of power production from this system appear to be quite attractive, with the cost of electricity near the competitive range of current electricity prices in the UnitedStates. To complement this study, a life cycle assessment is being performed to quantify the total benefits and drawbacks of the entire system from biomass crops through power distribution, including emissions and costs from diverse sources such as planting and harvesting, transportation, and power production. A discussion of the economics, efficiency , and environmental benefits of powerproduction from this biomass-based technology, are presented. Contact (e-mail): [email protected]
Original language | American English |
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Title of host publication | Developments in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion |
Editors | A. V. Bridgwater, D. G. B. Boocock |
Pages | Vol. II: 1567-1581 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/CH-431-24256