Quaderni dei Georgofili

Olio grezzo come combustibile

Stefano Bona; Lucia Coletto; Sara Gabriella Sandrini; Andrea Calgaro; Alessandra Brigi

Accademia dei Georgofili
Pagine: 26
Collana: Quaderni dei Georgofili
Contenuto in: Produzione di energia da fonti biologiche rinnovabili 2 - Le risorse primarie

Copyright 2007 Accademia dei Georgofili

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of using sunflower as energy crop and as renewable resource at farm level, in comparison with traditional diesel oil.?The analysis has been applied to 8 different farm types, in order to evaluate the different environmental impact of diesel oil or biofuels use. The main factor to consider was the need to avoid underutilization of the machinery (for their high costs) for oil extraction and purification. The transformation of oil to biodiesel appeared not achievable because of the large number of hectares necessary for the optimization in the use of the apparatuses for transesterification. The blending PVO/diesel oil (50/50) appeared not feasible in consequence of the complication in farm organization.?Environmental analysis (LCA) has been performed simulating only the complete replacement of diesel oil with PVO (sunflower). The results were not univocal because, considering all the impact category of LCA, some of them turned to be worse than the original situation (use of diesel oil). There was, instead, a substantial advantage in terms of reduction of substances having effects on climate change for all the farm types.?The use of PVO in diesel engines leads to a decrease of CO2 emissions and from a technical point of view is feasible since there are many examples in Germany and Austria. This biofuel is not yet competitive as there is not a free market for it. Furthermore, it can be a practical choice for avoiding the transfer of economic benefits from agricultural to industry as it happens for biodiesel production.