Distribution of biofuel blue water and green water footprint under different sizing (in DMTD) with feedstock containing 7% ash and 30% moist content

Figure 2. Distribution of biofuel blue water and green water footprint under different sizing (in DMTD) with feedstock containing 7% ash and 30% moist content. Green water is composed of water associated with thinning residue (LOGT), logging residue (LOGR), short-rotation woody crop (SRWC), and pulpwood from softwood (SW) and hardwood (HW). The values of the conventional case are averaged between Aiken and Rankin by using ethanol production as a weighting factor.

Abstract

Forest residue has been proposed as a feasible candidate for cellulosic biofuels. However, the number of studies assessing its water use remains limited. This work aims to analyze the impacts of forest-based biofuel on water resources and quality by using a water footprint approach. A method established here is tailored to the production system, which includes softwood, hardwood, and short-rotation woody crops. The method is then applied to selected areas in the southeastern region of the United States to quantify the county-level water footprint of the biofuel produced via a mixed alcohol gasification process, under several logistic systems, and at various refinery scales. The results indicate that the blue water sourced from surface or groundwater is minimal, at 2.4 liters per liter of biofuel (l/l). The regional-average green water (rainfall) footprint falls between 400 and 443 l/l. The biofuel pathway appears to have a low nitrogen grey water footprint averaging 25 l/l at the regional level, indicating minimal impacts on water quality. Feedstock mix plays a key role in determining the magnitude and the spatial distribution of the water footprint in these regions. Compared with other potential feedstock, forest wood residue shows promise with its low blue and grey water footprint.