THE TOPIC

Life cycle analysis of petroleum and a non-petroleum product used as energy sources is considered in this research. For a long time biofuel (non-petroleum fuels) is considered as a cleaner source than the fossil fuels, however, lot of researchers has ended up with negative conclusion of adopting biofuel as a reliable and environmental friendly energy source (Rainer Zah). So it is essential to analyze whether these bio fuels are environmental friendly as they promise or there are hidden energy wastages involved in the different stages of the manufacturing etc. That is where the importance of life cycle analysis comes in to play.

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS

A life cycle assessment is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from-cradle-to-grave (i.e., from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling). There are number of bio fuels those have been identified as effective fuel alternatives to replace petroleum products. Some of these produce higher CO2 Green house gases than conventional petroleum products in combustion. How ever some can truly reduce the emission almost by 50% percent in combustion but when their whole life cycle is examined their contribution in polluting the environment are at a higher stake. It is stated in EMPA reports in science that the economically most important bio fuels namely US corn ethanol, Brazilian sugar cane ethanol and soy diesel and Malaysian palm oil diesel have greater aggregate environmental cost than do fossil fuels. When life cycle assessment of green house gas emissions associated with bio fuels not only considers fossil fuel inputs, but also N2O emissions and changes in carbon stocks of ecosystems linked to the cultivation of bio fuel crops, current plant oils such as European rapeseed oil and soybean and palm oil from recently deforested soils have higher life cycle greenhouse gas emissions than conventional diesel.(L.Reijnders, 2010) When using bio fuels as an energy source for transportation Final report, London Borough of Camden states Across all vehicle classes, switching from mineral diesel to pure bio diesel reduces the over all environmental impact by around 13% and changing from petrol to pure bioethanol produced by wheat reduces air pollution impacts by 23%. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding the emission data associated with bio fuel production (Lane, 2006) But a an environmental assessment carried out on biofuel by a group of researchers says adoption of biofuel as a solution to energy crisis will be necessary and favorable in future with more advanced biofuel production methods which have less environmental impacts (Rainer Zah, 2007).

By using the life cycle analysis we can determine the different emission conditions caused by the petroleum and non-petroleum products and we can comment on the more efficient and effective type based on the analysis.

IMPORTANCE

OF THE WORK

There are researches have been carried out comparing diesel and soybean as energy sources, and many other biofuel. But the importance of this research is that the biofuel we are considering here is rice straw (Bioethanol from rice straw). There hasnt been any research published according to our knowledge on rice straw as a biofuel. Now the question arises why rice straw? The answer is simple, in the Sri Lankan context Rice straw is readily available and it has been a part of the Sri Lankan culture for a long time. Now after carrying out the analysis on rice straw a door to a whole new industry could be opened. And this information could be vital for the entrepreneurs who are looking to start on industries such as bioethanol from rice straw. Sri Lanka doesnt have any oil reserves, so there is a high dependence on the oil which is actually imported. The fluctuations on the oil prices affect the economic state of the country quite badly. Hence biofuel can be a good alternative for the fossil fuels which are imported. And it is published in the energy policy of Sri Lanka that, we are looking for the alternative energy sources. But before we jump in to the conclusion of biofuel is better we must find it out scientifically. And rice straw is a very viable option since they are readily available in any part of the country.

SCOPE
We are going to carry out a life cycle assessment on Diesel and rice straw to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from-cradle-to-grave. Amount of greenhouse gas production, including N2O, CO2 etc will be evaluated. The technique selected is actually life cycle assessment which is a very scientific and a methodical technique. The research is on Diesel and rice straw and there wont be any discussion on any other biofuel other than rice straw or any other fossil fuel (petroleum fuel) than diesel in detail. And the research will be carried out on the life cycle analysis only.

AIM
Our aim is to asses all the possibilities that can pollute the environment by the consumption of biofuel (rice straw) and petroleum fuel (diesel) with the help of Life cycle analysis.
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