On the environmental and economic issues associated with the Jatropha curcas shell gasification to heat and electricity for biodiesel production

Abstract

The present work is focused on the use of Jatropha curcas biomass (shell), as feed to gasification systems coupled to a diesel engine for electricity generation. The scope of this research is to analyze the environmental and economic effects of the integration of a gasification system to a biodiesel plant. The environmental impacts are quantified by a Life Cycle Assessment and the economy is assessed based on the Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Investment Recovery Period models and the Levelized cost of electricity. The results demonstrate that a gasification system, using this biomass as a source of electricity generation, is a promising alternative for energy supply, with good economic effect. Estimated efficiencies are: Net Present Value > 0, Internal Rate of Return > 10%/yr and Investment Recovery Period = 2.08 years, representing very good outcomes for this kind of system. Nevertheless, the project exhibits a very low Levelized Cost of Electricity of 0.054 USD/kWh. From the environmental point of view, there is not critical step during the whole life cycle of electricity generation from Jatropha curcas biomass.negative environmental impacts were found for breathing-inorganics and acidification-eutrophication, but both at negligible levels.