Life cycle assessment of soybean biodiesel and LPG as automotive fuels in Portugal

摘要

This study aims to compare soy methyl esters (biodiesel) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as automotive fuels in Portugal using LCA. The potential environmental impacts (PEl) associated with their life cycles are compared for twelve impact categories. As a general conclusion biodiesel has a lower total PEl than LPG. Nonetheless biodiesel shows higher values of some individual impact categories such as acidification, photooxidant formation, terrestrial eutrophication, and land use. This study results can be used to support decision making and recommendations about the environmentally preferable fuel to be used in Portugal, which should be complemented with economicand societal considerations.