Abstract
In this study, we conducted a comparative global warming potential assessment of eight microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing systems using life cycle assessment software and global warming potential (GWP) as a measure of environmental burden. The studied systems included both non-integrated (stand-alone system) and integrated (located within the chemical pulp mill) manufacturing systems. The results indicate that the Non-integrated AaltoCell (TM) system has lower GWP than the Non-integrated market MCC systems as well as slightly lower GWP than the AaltoCell (TM) plant integrated to chemical pulp mill systems. However, the lowest GWP was produced by the AaltoCell (TM) plant integrated to chemical pulp mill due to use of unbleached pulp as a raw material. Our results indicate that the relative shares of chemical pulp, heat, ammonia and electricity processes contribute to a very large share of the GWP results. Chemical pulp has the biggest influence on GWP results, but it is also the main raw material. Comparison of manufacturing without chemical pulp production indicates that heat energy and ammonia have the biggest impacts. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 620-629 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Cleaner Production |
| Volume | 126 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Jul 2016 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Global warming potential
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Chemical pulp mill
- Chemical pulp
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Life cycle assessment
- LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT
- WASTE
Equipment
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Bioeconomy Research Infrastructure
Jukka Seppälä (Manager)
School of Chemical EngineeringFacility/equipment: Facility