Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

The global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 degrees C, and high temperature, higher than 300 degrees C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 degrees C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800-1300 degrees C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.

Automated summary

The global energy demand is projected to increase by nearly 28% by 2040, leading to a growing interest in utilizing biomass as a renewable energy source for producing biofuels. Life cycle assessment plays a crucial role in providing insights into the environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. The integration of thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes shows promise for enhancing process efficiency in biomass-to-biofuel conversion, with ongoing research and publication efforts focusing on addressing knowledge gaps in the field.