Process design analysis (LCA) of a biomass-based fuel production process for various Central European regions

Abstract

Drop-in alternative transport fuels are essential for reaching the EU’s climate goals. The Biomass-to-Liquid (BtL) process via biomass gasification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis presents a technologically advanced option. In contrast to the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), which only focuses on the global warming potential, further environmental impacts need to be considered when assessing the sustainablity of alternative fuels since a reduction in one category compared with fossil fuel might increase impacts in others. Within the life cylce assessment (LCA) multiple process configurations and feedstocks are evaluated under various regional circumstances. The LCA results are finally compared with previously publsihed net production cost to identify the economically and ecologically favorable process design for different regions. Sweet-spots for the BtL production depend significantly on the transport distances, maximum plant size and low-cost biomass availability.