Evaluating the environmental performance of mezcal production in Michoacán, México: A life cycle assessment approach

IF 4.9 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Pub Date : 2023-10-07 DOI:10.1007/s11367-023-02237-y

César Ruiz-Camou, José Núñez, Ricardo Musule

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this work is to evaluate the environmental impacts of mezcal production from Agave cupreata in Michoacán, México. The central question is the influence of management options for vinasse, bagasse, and biomass energy. Methods The study was conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) based on the conceptual framework of ISO 14040, guidelines of ISO 14044, and material and energy flow analysis, in a cradle-to-gate approach. The functional unit considered is a packaged mezcal of 0.75 ls produced in compliance with the official Mexican standard for this type of alcoholic beverage. Site measurements were conducted at two agave processing facilities, and descriptive surveys were carried out in collaboration with local producers. Related ecoefficiency indicators were evaluated and shown in a transparent and reproducible way. Environmental impact categories such as global warming potential (GWP), fine particulate matter formation (PMFP), freshwater eutrophication (FEP), and cumulative energy demand (CED) were calculated. Results The results indicate that bioenergy is 87% of the cumulative energy for production. The main source of impacts from the PMFP category was the distillation process (50%). The vinasse contribution is around 60.4% for the FEP category. Bagasse’s contribution to the GWP category is around 22.7%. Even though carbon dioxide produced from biomass is considered biogenic, the overall impact is still significant due to the presence of other compounds such as methane. We also evaluate barriers to the implementation of alternative waste management technologies for bagasse and vinasse. Conclusions From this study, it is concluded that biomass energy plays a crucial role in the sustainable manufacturing of mezcal.

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评价Michoacán, mamexico的mezcal生产的环境绩效:生命周期评价方法

摘要目的评价青海Michoacán铜龙舌兰生产梅斯卡尔的环境影响。核心问题是对酒糟、甘蔗渣和生物质能的管理选择的影响。方法采用基于ISO 14040概念框架、ISO 14044导则以及物质和能量流分析的生命周期评价(LCA)方法，从摇篮到闸门进行研究。所考虑的功能单位是按照这类酒精饮料的墨西哥官方标准生产的0.75升的包装mezcal。在两个龙舌兰加工设施进行了现场测量，并与当地生产者合作进行了描述性调查。对相关生态效率指标进行了评估，并以透明和可复制的方式显示。计算了全球变暖潜势(GWP)、细颗粒物形成(PMFP)、淡水富营养化(FEP)和累积能源需求(CED)等环境影响类别。结果:生物能源占生产累计能源的87%。PMFP类别影响的主要来源是蒸馏过程(50%)。在FEP类别中，酒糟的贡献约为60.4%。甘蔗渣对全球变暖潜能值的贡献约为22.7%。尽管生物质产生的二氧化碳被认为是生物源性的，但由于存在甲烷等其他化合物，总体影响仍然很大。我们还评估了实施甘蔗渣和酒糟替代废物管理技术的障碍。结论生物质能在mezcal的可持续生产中起着至关重要的作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

10.60

自引率

10.40%

发文量

100

审稿时长

8-16 weeks

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Int J Life Cycle Assess) is the first journal devoted entirely to Life Cycle Assessment and closely related methods. LCA has become a recognized instrument to assess the ecological burdens and impacts throughout the consecutive and interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material acquisition or generation from natural resources, through production and use to final disposal. The Int J Life Cycle Assess is a forum for scientists developing LCA and LCM (Life Cycle Management); LCA and LCM practitioners; managers concerned with environmental aspects of products; governmental environmental agencies responsible for product quality; scientific and industrial societies involved in LCA development, and ecological institutions and bodies.