TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF ETHYL ESTER BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Ediane S. Alves Chemical Engineering Program, Federal University of São Carlos (PPGEQ-UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2398-6226
  • Simone C. Miyoshi Chemical Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Faculty of Technology, FAT, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5192-230X
  • Andrew M. Elias Embrapa Instrumentação, Rua XV de Novembro 1452, São Carlos, Brazil and SENAI Innovation Institute in Biodiversity and Circular Economy, Setor Bancário Norte (SBN), Brasília, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6035-1118
  • Potrich Erich Department of Renewable Energy Technology (CEAD), Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, Brazil and Graduate Program in Technology, Management and Sustainability (PPGTGS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9449-7553
  • Letícia P. Miranda Department of Renewable Energy Technology (CEAD), Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7006-9159
  • Paulo W. Tardioli Chemical Engineering Program, Federal University of São Carlos (PPGEQ-UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5011-9881
  • Roberto C. Giordano Chemical Engineering Program, Federal University of São Carlos (PPGEQ-UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3755-9495
  • Felipe F. Furlan Chemical Engineering Program, Federal University of São Carlos (PPGEQ-UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0438-5257

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/CICEQ250525031A

Keywords:

Biorefinery, Biodiesel production, Lipase Reuse, LCA, Economic Evaluation, Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract

Biodiesel is a key fuel for a zero-carbon future. Enzymatic synthesis using renewable materials can make it even more environmentally friendly. However, high enzyme costs and limited reuse hinder its economic feasibility. This study assessed the techno-economic and environmental performance of different processes for ethyl ester biodiesel production. The scenarios evaluated include: transesterification of soybean degummed oil using free and immobilized Eversa Transform 2.0, chemical alkaline catalysis of soybean oil, and transesterification of waste oil using ET. The main metrics were net present value and global warming potential. Results showed that the free enzyme outperformed the immobilized enzyme economically. However, chemical catalysis had an NPV nearly double that of the best free enzyme option. Sensitivity analysis revealed that enzyme cost and reuse rate were critical to net present value. Transesterification of waste oil with enzyme reuse had the lowest GWP (4.21 g CO2eq/MJ), making it the most environmentally favorable scenario. While life cycle assessment indicated lower global warming potential for enzymatic catalysis, further study is needed on emissions from enzymes. Depending on the enzyme and reuse rate, chemical catalysis might result in lower overall emissions. Integration with the biorefinery makes large-scale enzymatic biodiesel production economically viable and with low CO2eq emissions.

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ediane S. Alves, Simone C. Miyoshi, Andrew M. Elias, Letícia P. Miranda, Paulo W. Tardioli, Roberto C. Giordano, Felipe F. Furlan

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How to Cite

TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF ETHYL ESTER BIODIESEL PRODUCTION: Original scientific paper. (2025). Chemical Industry & Chemical Engineering Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.2298/CICEQ250525031A

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