The life cycle assessment of biodiesel from palm oil (“dendê”) in the Amazon

This paper aims to present the energy balance of biodiesel production from palm oil in the Amazon. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is made for the three phases of the production of biodiesel from palm: agriculture, oil production and biodiesel production. For each phase is considered the energy inputs and materials, and energy production of the product and co-products. The analyzed data on agricultural production and oil were collected in two Amazon companies DENTAUÁ and AGROPALMA. Regarding biodiesel production data concerning the amount of oil, ethanol, biodiesel, glycerol were obtained from the transesterification reaction considering 98% yield. The results show the energetic costs at each stage of biodiesel production.

► Palm oil is a promising primary source of biodiesel in the Amazon. ► We have developed a life cycle assessment of two factories to palm oil in this region. ► The data shows the energetic and materials costs at each stage of production. ► That is important to develop decision criteria for choosing the most efficient source.