Environmental Implications of Jatropha Biofuel from
a Silvi-Pastoral Production System in Central-West Brazil
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Abstract
We present a life cycle assessment
of synthetic paraffinic kerosene
produced from Jatropha curcas. The feedstock is grown in an intercropping
arrangement with pasture grasses so that Jatropha is coproduced with
cattle. Additional innovations are introduced including hybrid seeds,
detoxification of jatropha seedcake, and cogeneration. Two fuel pathways
are examined including a newly developed catalytic decarboxylation
process. Sensitivities are examined including higher planting density
at the expense of cattle production as well as 50% lower yields. Intercropping
with pasture and detoxifying seedcake yield coproducts that are expected
to relieve pressure on Brazil’s forests and indirectly reduce
environmental impacts of biofuel production. Other innovations also
reduce impacts. Results of the baseline assessment indicate that innovations
would reduce impacts relative to the fossil fuel reference scenario
in most categories including 62–75% reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions, 64–82% reduction in release of ozone depleting
chemicals, 33–52% reduction in smog-forming pollutants, 6–25%
reduction in acidification, and 60–72% reduction in use of
nonrenewable energy. System expansion, which explicitly accounts for
avoided deforestation, results in larger improvements. Results are
robust across allocation methodologies, improve with higher planting
density, and persist if yield is reduced by half