Universidad Autnoma de San Luis Potos

Programa Multidisciplinario de Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales

Area: Environmental Management

Thesis topic:
Life Cycle Assessment of the production of biofuels from Jatropha Curcas

Chemical Engineer:
Sandra Luz Acosta Snchez

Committee:

Dr. Pedro Medelln Miln Dr. Mahmoud El-Halwagi Dr. Nahum A.

Medelln Castillo

November 2012
1
2
3
4
Outline:
Introduction
Why Jatropha
Case of study
Life Cycle Analysis
Objectives
Preleminary Results

5
Introduction

Why Jatropha?
Non- edible product
Drought resistent
(minimum 200 mm
precipitation)
Reduce soil erosion
High production of
oil quality ( up to 8
ton seed/ ha)
Combating
desertification
Jobs opportunities 6
Case of study:
State: Chiapas, Mexico
Plants population: 2,500/ha
Seed yield: 4.8 Ton/ha
Oil yield: 1,440 L/ha
Biodiesel yield: 1,368 L/ha
Bio jet fuel: 864 L/ha
Plant capacity: 11, 096, 000
L/year
Project name: Biodiesel
Chiapas
Potential surface for Jatropha:
230, 273 Ha
Current surface: 10, 000 Ha
Altitude: 0- 1,000 masl 7
Precipitation: 600-1,800
mm
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
An LCA study comprises four main steps which are:

LCA has been developed

1. Goal and
to have a holistic
Scope
approach to the definition
process.

Interpretati
LCA leads to the
formulation of a 2.

on
Inventory

4.
multiobjective
function, creating a Analysis
useful tool in the
synthesis and process
design, achieving a 3. Impact
complete description of Assessment
the environmental
impact.
Strategic planning 8
Public Policy making Figure 1. Life cycle assessment stages
Marketing
 Damage to human health
Carcinogens
Organic and inorganic substances
LCA Method that damage the breathing
climate change
Depletion of the ozone layer
Eco-
Damage to the ecosystem
Indicador Eco-toxic substances
Acidification
99 Eutrophication
Land use change
Software: Resource damage
SimaPro mineral resources
fossil Fuels
REED

9
Future work:
Assess the environmental impact
Assess the economic profit
Assess other life cycle, could be: Petro-diesel
Soybean and compare with this case of study or
even the same case using integration process
Use a new metric of sustainability
Write an article
Suggestions?

15
Thanks !
16
Have a nice day!