标题：Biomass Yield and Utilization Rate Effects on the Sustainability and Environment-friendliness of Maize Stover- and Switchgrass-based Ethanol Production
期刊名称：International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy
电子版ISSN：2165-8951
出版年度：2013
卷号：7
期号：1
页码：28-42
语种：English
出版社：Modern Scientific Press
摘要：The productivity level and utilization rate effects of biomass feedstock on the sustainability and environment-friendliness of ethanol production are not known. This study assessed these effects for maize stover- and switchgrass-derived ethanol, using net energy value (NEV) and carbon credit balance (CCB) as indicators. Ten locations in Mississippi were selected and their weather and biomass yield data spanning 30 years obtained. From these yields, 10 yield levels were determined for each crop. For each yield level, 4 utilization rates were considered. Thus, a total of 400 scenarios were analyzed for each feedstock. Using a biomass logistic model, values of energy use and CO_2 emissions were computed for each scenario, which later were used to compute NEV and CCB, respectively. Results showed that both sustainability and environment-friendliness of ethanol production increased with an increase in yield level as well as utilization rate. The environment-friendliness of switchgrass-based ethanol was higher than that of maize stover in all scenarios. For sustainability, maize stover was better than switchgrass at higher productivity levels with higher utilization rates. For the complete picture of utilization rate effect, a comprehensive analysis needs to be carried out by including NEV and CCB in the list of the criteria that determine utilization rate.
