Environmental evaluation of biodiesel Production from palm oil in a life cycle perspective. Paper presented to The Joint

Abstract: Biodiesel is one of the most promising alternative fuels for transportation in Thailand. It is a very good candidate for substituting petroleum-diesel in engines because of its similar properties. Obtained from transesterification of fatty materials, biodiesel can be produced from various vegetable and/or animal oils. Regarding raw material supply and production cost, palm oil is found to be a wonderful suitable raw material for biodiesel production in Thailand. In this study, an environmental evaluation of biodiesel production from palm oil has been developed in a life cycle perspective in order to assess the environmental implications of the proposed substitution. To this end, the study is divided into 3 stages: oil palm plantation, palm oil production and transesterification into biodiesel. For each stage, the materials and energy flows are presented and discussed. The emissions to air, water and soil compartments are inventoried. The emissions such as wastewater discharge, solid waste load