A life cycle assessment of poly-hydroxybutyrate extraction from microbial biomass using dimethyl carbonate

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

卷:168

Article

Righi, Serena^1,2  Baioli, Filippo²  Samori, Chiara^1,2  Galletti, Paola^1,2  Tagliavini, Emilio^1,2  Stramigioli, Carlo³  Tugnoli, Alessandro³  Fantke, Peter⁴ 

[1] Univ Bologna, Alma Mater Studiorum, CIRI Energia & Ambiente, UO Biomasse, via S Alberto 163, I-48123 Ravenna, Italy

[2] Univ Bologna, Alma Mater Studiorum, CIRSA, via S Alberto 163, I-48123 Ravenna, Italy

[3] Univ Bologna, Alma Mater Studiorum, LISES Dipartimento Ingn Civile Chim Ambientale & M, via Terracini 28, I-40131 Bologna, Italy

[4] Tech Univ Denmark, Dept Management Engn, Quantitat Sustainabil Div, Bygningstorvet 116, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

关键词: Bio-based polymers;    Bioplastics;    Poly-hydroxyalkanoates;    Environmental impact;    Environmental performance;    Ecodesign;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.08.227

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Poly-hydroxyalkanoates are an example of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, produced from renewable raw materials. With respect to other bioplastics the market share of poly-hydroxyalkanoates is still limited because of their commercial costs. To develop more cost-effective processes, a multilevel approach is usually undertaken combining innovative, cheaper and more effective microbial cultivation with safe and cheap extraction and purification methodologies. This study assesses the potential life cycle environmental impacts related to a novel protocol poly-hydroxyalkanoates extraction based on dimethyl carbonate in comparison to the use of halogenated hydrocarbons (in particular 1,2 dicholoro-ethane). Four scenarios are analysed for the dimethyl carbonate protocol considering: extraction from microbial slurry or from dried biomass, and recovery by solvent evaporation or polymer precipitation. The life cycle assessment demonstrates that the environmental performances of dimethyl carbonate-based protocols are far better than those of the most comparative process using the halogenated hydrocarbons. The scenario that foresees the extraction of dried biomass and recovers solvent by evaporation appears to be the most promising in terms of environmental sustainability performance. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free