Life cycle assessment: A preliminary study for second-generation biodiesel

Second-generation biomass production might be an opportunity for organic farmers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to advance economic development and a way to diversify risk. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework for estimating second-generation biodiesel impact assessment has been defined. Theory and principles of method, process flow diagram structuring and questionnaire for data collection have been analyzed. LCA study reliability depends strongly on data of good quality. It is essential that data collected are specific and of primary origin (collected directly on the field) in order to have a reconstruction of the system as objective as possible. The questionnaire contains all inputs and outputs processes and sub-processes. The flow diagram defines the spatial, temporal and production chain limits of the process.