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Review of methodological choices in LCA of biorefinery systems ‐ key issues and recommendations
Author(s) -
Ahlgren Serina,
Björklund Anna,
Ekman Anna,
Karlsson Hanna,
Berlin Johanna,
Börjesson Pål,
Ekvall Tomas,
Finnveden Göran,
Janssen Matty,
Strid Ingrid
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
biofuels, bioproducts and biorefining
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.931
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1932-1031
pISSN - 1932-104X
DOI - 10.1002/bbb.1563
Subject(s) - biorefinery , life cycle assessment , key (lock) , biomass (ecology) , raw material , environmental economics , computer science , biochemical engineering , engineering , production (economics) , waste management , biofuel , economics , chemistry , organic chemistry , macroeconomics , geology , oceanography , computer security
The current trend in biomass conversion technologies is toward more efficient utilization of biomass feedstock in multiproduct biorefineries. Many life‐cycle assessment ( LCA ) studies of biorefinery systems have been performed but differ in how they use the LCA methodology. Based on a review of existing LCA standards and guidelines, this paper provides recommendations on how to handle key methodological issues when performing LCA studies of biorefinery systems. Six key issues were identified: (i) goal definition, (ii) functional unit, (iii) allocation of biorefinery outputs, (iv) allocation of biomass feedstock, (v) land use, and (vi) biogenic carbon and timing of emissions. Many of the standards and guidelines reviewed here provide only general methodological recommendations. Some make more specific methodological recommendations, but these often differ between standards. In this paper we present some clarifications (e.g. examples of research questions and suitable functional units) and methodological recommendations (e.g. on allocation). © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd