Abstract

ORTEGA-BLU, R. Augusto; MUNOZ-LAGOS, R. Eduardo; ACOSTA-ESPEJO, L. Gonzalo  and  GONZALEZ-PLATTEAU, R. Alberto. Biofuels in Chile I. Identification and energy balance of raw materials and biofuels production. Agrociencia [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.6, pp.611-622. ISSN 2521-9766.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the production of biofuels in Chile is sustainable through energy balance (EB) and economic evaluations, as well as a location model of collection centers and manufacturing plants. Five crops were selected and the most representative production systems were defined. Then the processes of ethanol and biodiesel production were studied and energy balances were carried out in the field and plant. It was concluded that maize (Zea mays L.) had the highest yields of ethanol and a higher BE, but with a low energy efficiency. This was due to high energy costs, of which nitrogen was responsible for 67%. Raps (Brassica napus L.) recorded a higher BE than that of maize and showed a better sensitivity to primary energy cost.

Keywords : Brassica napus; Triticum aestivum; Zea mays; energy balance; biodiesel; ethanol.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )