Environmental assessment of a waste-to-energy practice: The pyrolysis of agro-industrial biomass residues

The bio-wastes pyrolysis is a waste to energy strategy that converts into valuable products (bio-char, bio-oil) with wide use in the agri-food sector. However, limited efforts are paid investigation of its environmental sustainability: this context, study contributes need towards assessment range impacts for process different types under operating conditions. estimates potential related bio-char production from several agro-industrial residues and temperatures identifies “hot spots”. analysis carried out through life cycle methodology. functional unit 1 MJ thermal potentially released during complete combustion obtained process. highlights that, examined conditions, type biomass affects more than peak temperature. Among biomasses tested, orange peels has lower impacts, an average percentage difference about 16% compared olive tree trimmings worst performance. For each biomass, associated operational have differences general 5%. A contribution shows electricity consumed phase responsible largest all impact categories, followed by transportation. In detail, total ranges minimum values 44% (for cumulative demand) up 91% terrestrial eutrophication), while transportation contributions 4% marine eutrophication) 36% mineral, fossil renewable resource depletion. Therefore, efficient processes technologies diffusion distributed systems near farms can significantly improve performance system examined.