A review of environmental assessments on liquid biofuels in China

Liquid vehicle fuel from biomass is an effective alternative to relieve the intensive pressure of fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions. To ensure optimal biomass-derived liquid fuels production, the environmental effects is necessary to he taken into account in regard to the production system. This paper provides a review of analysis of vehicle fuel in terms of two types of primary biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel) in China via life cycle assessment (LCA) technique in China to ascertain material and energy flow. The methodology utilized was WTW (well to wheel) module and pathways including soybean, jatropha, waste oil, corn, cassava and sugar grass. Combined with energy utilization and GHG indicators, several recommendations of biofuel production and policy were proposed. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.