Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessments of Lignocellulosic and Algal Pretreatments

Abstract

Bioenergy and Bioproducts have gained augmented relevance in the wake of depleting fossil fuels and escalating environmental problems induced by anthropogenic activities. The paper outlays the various applications of biomass and their significance in various processes. The prospects of lignocelluloses and algal raw materials to biofuel production are well established; however the life cycle analysis of every bioprocess becomes essential for its technical feasibility. The paper mainly targets the life cycle analysis of various pretreatment strategies adopted in the generation of biofuels. Biomass pretreatment- accounts to a major cost contributory factor in the entire production process and thus the identification of alternate cost effective strategies is of much significance. The LCA analysis identifies biofuel superior to petroleum chemicals based on its environmental effects, however better results are expected to be achieved by depending on methods using solar based energy sources for limiting fossil fuels even in processes of biofuel production.