ENERGY AND ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF ENERGY USE OF MAIZE CROP RESIDUES

Abstract

Maize crop residues have significant energy potential in Ukraine. The purpose of this work is to analyze the energy and environmental efficiency of thermal energy production from corn residues, taking into account the sustainability criteria. The task of the work is to quantitatively calculate energy and environmental efficiency indicators and compare them with values that meet the criteria of sustainable development. Using the life cycle assessment methodology, the cases of using bales, pellets and briquettes from plant biomass as fuel in a boiler with a capacity of 500 kW were considered. The calculation of the energy conversion factor and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has been performed. It is shown that at distances of transportation of finished biofuel not exceeding 150 km, energy indicators (energy yield coefficient, specific cumulative energy demand) are within the recommended values corresponding to sustainable development. The distribution of primary energy consumption of fossil fuels by stages of the life cycle of thermal energy production from maize crop residues is shown. Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from the introduction of heat production technologies from maize crop residues meet the new requirements of the European Parliament and of the Council Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources on the use of renewable energy sources. It is shown that in general the production of pellets and briquettes from corn residues is energetically inexpedient when transporting biomass at a distance that meets the criteria of sustainable development.