Project Number: 1935-41000-082-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2010
End Date: Dec 31, 2012

Objective:
To evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of fuel oil (bio-oil) and biochar co-products derived from agricultural residues to test its suitability as a substitute for fuel oil through life cycle analysis. Identify and quantify all process inputs (e.g., N, P, K) to replace residue removed from land and collection activities.

Approach:
Construct a base-case scenario that evaluates the full life cycle greenhouse gas emissions converting agricultural feedstock to pyrolysis oil and biochar, construct cost analysis to estimate the cost of mitigating GHG and compare the pyrolysis oil/biochar scenario with the life cycle emissions of fossil fuel. Track material and energy inputs and GHG emissions to air from the feedstock production, collection, transport, fuel conversion, fuel transport and distribution, and use in a hypothetical 100% ethanol (E100) vehicle.