Analysis of energy consumption and end-use application of rapeseed in an agricultural production system in Izeh-Khuzestan

Abstract

Nowadays, due to the shortage of oil-based storages and environmental problems, the tendency toward the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol has been increased. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the energy cycle of biodiesel production from rapeseed oil using transesterification method. The energy consumption in the purification stage of rapeseed oil for edible purposes was analyzed, and the results were then compared with those of biodiesel production. According to the Life Cycle Analysis model, it was found that the input and output energy in biodiesel production from rapeseed oil were 28293.28 MJ/ha and 54727.07 MJ/ha, respectively. Energy indexes involving specific energy, energy efficiency and pure energy were also calculated for biodiesel production (equal to 16.002 MJ/kg, 0.06 kg/MJ and 7986.89 MJ, respectively). The emission of greenhouse gasses was calculated in the cycle of biodiesel production. It was revealed that the maximum pollutant factor was related to diesel fuel in transferring stage of the product to the oil-extraction company followed by agricultural production stage having the shares of 100% and 40%, respectively. Results of the study indicated that the ANFIS model could predict the yield of the product with a high accuracy (R = 0.99, RMSE = 3.94).