35 Exergy and Environmental Analysis of a Bio-Hydrogen Supply …
527
can be a representative indicator of other impact categories. Thus, here, ADP was
considered.
To summarize our research plan, we considered the Bio-H 2 utilization paths,
including possible applications, in terms of the eco-burden, using LCA and exergy
analysis. For each path, finding the more effective path and environmental and energic
hotspots was our purpose. However, we needed to characterize each path because
of the combination of evaluated indexes. Therefore, we used data envelope analysis
(DEA) to compare the various types of functional mobility.
35.2 Target System and Methodology
35.2.1 System Boundary and Functional Unit
In this study, the entire hydrogen path from biomass feedstock to mobility utilization
was investigated using exergy analysis, LCA, and DEA. More specifically, it was
assumed that hydrogen paths consist of three phases: hydrogen production (woody
biomass and sewage sludge), hydrogen storage (compressed hydrogen and MH), and
mobility (cars, bicycles, and forklifts). Twelve paths with various combinations of
hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, and mobility, were analyzed. In addition,
to compare the GWP values of the hydrogen paths, the conventional cases (gasoline
car (GC), Li-ion assisted bicycle (LB), diesel forklift (DF)) were analyzed using
LCA as well. Table 35.1 shows the 12 hydrogen paths. The details of each phase are
explained later in this paper. Figure 35.1 shows the target system of this study.
The evaluation unit of this study (the so-called functional unit in LCA) is depreciation durable years for each mobility (Car: 6 years, Bicycle: 2 years, Forklifts:
4 years) (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Taxation 2019).
35.2.2 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
LCA is an environmental impact assessment methodology based on ISO 14040 and
14044.
In this study, the impacts of each hydrogen path and conventional case on GWP and
ADP were assessed using Simapro software Ver. 8.5.0.0. The background data were
derived from Ecoinvent 3 and a CML model was used as an environmental impact
assessment method. Note that we ignored the construction of hydrogen plants and
mobility. Platinum, the catalyst for FC, has a great environmental impact, and was,
therefore, considered even though it is included in the FC construction phase (Duclos
et al. 2017).
527
can be a representative indicator of other impact categories. Thus, here, ADP was
considered.
To summarize our research plan, we considered the Bio-H 2 utilization paths,
including possible applications, in terms of the eco-burden, using LCA and exergy
analysis. For each path, finding the more effective path and environmental and energic
hotspots was our purpose. However, we needed to characterize each path because
of the combination of evaluated indexes. Therefore, we used data envelope analysis
(DEA) to compare the various types of functional mobility.
35.2 Target System and Methodology
35.2.1 System Boundary and Functional Unit
In this study, the entire hydrogen path from biomass feedstock to mobility utilization
was investigated using exergy analysis, LCA, and DEA. More specifically, it was
assumed that hydrogen paths consist of three phases: hydrogen production (woody
biomass and sewage sludge), hydrogen storage (compressed hydrogen and MH), and
mobility (cars, bicycles, and forklifts). Twelve paths with various combinations of
hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, and mobility, were analyzed. In addition,
to compare the GWP values of the hydrogen paths, the conventional cases (gasoline
car (GC), Li-ion assisted bicycle (LB), diesel forklift (DF)) were analyzed using
LCA as well. Table 35.1 shows the 12 hydrogen paths. The details of each phase are
explained later in this paper. Figure 35.1 shows the target system of this study.
The evaluation unit of this study (the so-called functional unit in LCA) is depreciation durable years for each mobility (Car: 6 years, Bicycle: 2 years, Forklifts:
4 years) (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Taxation 2019).
35.2.2 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
LCA is an environmental impact assessment methodology based on ISO 14040 and
14044.
In this study, the impacts of each hydrogen path and conventional case on GWP and
ADP were assessed using Simapro software Ver. 8.5.0.0. The background data were
derived from Ecoinvent 3 and a CML model was used as an environmental impact
assessment method. Note that we ignored the construction of hydrogen plants and
mobility. Platinum, the catalyst for FC, has a great environmental impact, and was,
therefore, considered even though it is included in the FC construction phase (Duclos
et al. 2017).