Karin Fazeni-Fraisl

Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz

The rollout of bio-based technologies is key to achieving sustainability goals in the bioeconomy and renewable energy sectors. Evaluating the contribution of the biorefinery value chain to sustainability goals requires the evaluation of environmental, economic, and social aspects. Most current studies use quantitative metrics focused on environment...

In this study, we conducted LCA on the environmental impacts of recycling LDPE films within two system boundaries. System boundary 1 analysed the operations of a recycling company producing recycled LDPE granules. The results were comparable to the literature, yielding 0.44 kg CO2-eq./kg LDPE. Polymer testing revealed that recycled LDPE foil produc...

Biofuels present a strong potential to support the rapid decarbonization of the mobility sector and substitution for fossil fuels. In the aviation sector, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are currently produced from various feedstocks and conversion pathways to achieve sustainability targets. A new SAF production pathway has been recently developed...

Isobutene (IBN, C4H8) is widely used in industry. Currently, IBN production relies on petrochemical processes. The current work assesses the comparative environmental sustainability of bio‐based IBN production routes based on first‐ and second‐generation sugar compared with fossil IBN by applying the ISO 14044‐based Life Cycle Assessment methodolog...

Bis 2050 soll die EU klimaneutral sein. Neben Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen und dem Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien, kann die Abscheidung und weitere Nutzung von CO2 zur Reduktion der Treibhausgase beitragen. Die Rentabilität der CO2-Abscheidung ist stark vom rechtlichen Rahmen des Europäischen Emissionshandelssystems geprägt. Zentrale Frage ist, ob für a...

With the prevalent need for more circular and carbon-neutral chemicals and fuels such as bio-isobutene (bio-IBN), bioethanol, and syngas, the integration of waste and emission valorisation technologies with biorefinery production is critical for greater resource efficiency and Europe's green transition. To determine the technical feasibility, econo...

Traditional engineering courses at leading universities still frequently focus on specific fields such as the design and building of machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. Ongoing research reveals that present environmental challenges require an interdisciplinary engineering approach, acco...

The current work investigates the feasibility of a novel Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) approach—also known as Underground Sun Conversion (USC) or geo-methanation. The overall objective of the current work is a comprehensive assessment on the technical, economic and legal aspects as well as greenhouse gas impacts to be concerned for establish...

Techno-economic assessment of the simultaneous electrocatalytic synthesis of CO2 and water to valuable base chemicals such as Ethylene

This analysis estimates the technically available potentials of renewable gases from anaerobic conversion and biomass gasification of organic waste materials, as well as power-to-gas (H2 and synthetic natural gas based on renewable electricity) for Austria, as well as their approximate energy production costs. Furthermore, it outlines a theoretical...

Life Cycle Assessment of decarbonization options: A case study of CCU and electrochemical production of chemicals

Alternative drivetrains and advanced fuels are considered as promising methods for providing sustainable mobility. To understand the overall environmental impact of passenger vehicles on global warming potential (GWP) and primary energy demand (PED), a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for currently popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and...

The idea of biorefining in general is considered a promising concept for the processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio-based products and bioenergy. It is seen as one of the enabling technologies of the circular economy, closing loops of streams and aiming at the valorisation of multiple outputs. Due to its complexity and diversity there is a de...

Michael Mandl (tbw research) We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of James J. Leahy (University of Limerick) for proof reading. Whilst the information in this publication is derived from reliable sources, and reasonable care has been taken in its compilation, IEA Bioenergy The idea of biorefining in general is considered a promising concept f...

https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.at/de/sdz/projekte/urban-mining.php

This chapter is about the potential production volumes of sustainably produced, bio-based methane (CH4) from anaerobic digestion, and synthetic natural gas. It refers to power-to-gas processes. Though based on the ground reality in Austria, the insights and learnings are useful for other countries too. The chapter starts with a characterization of...

This Deliverable report has been compiled with the project OPTISOCHEM: This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) under grant agreement No 744330. The Deliverable report is also avaialbe at: http://www.optisochem.eu/

Within the study, the effects of a dietary change on the Gross Regional Product, the employment and the trade balance of Upper Austria are quantified. The actual nutritional behavior of the Upper Austrian population is compared to an altered nutritional behavior in accordance with the recommendations of the Austrian food pyramid, taking into accoun...

The demand of biomass for energy production purposes will further increase over the next years. According to estimates up to year 2020 there will be a gap in biomass demand and supply which probably only can be met with imports. Forestry will be the most important biomass feedstock followed by agricultural biomass for energy production purposes. Fo...

This paper deals with the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for process design, and presents the initial findings of this analysis qualitatively. The work identifies a need for a methodological development of Life Cycle Process Design (LCPD). This is underpinned by a broad literature review. The literature review shows that the...

Background Recent scientific investigations have revealed a correlation between nutrition habits and the environmental impacts of agriculture. So, it is obviously worthwhile to study what effects a change in diet has on land use patterns, energy demand, and greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural production. This study calculates the amount of ene...

Das Projekt Gesunde Ernährung und Nachhaltigkeit "GERN" behandelt den Zusammenhang zwischen Gesundheit, Ernährung, Nahrungsmittelproduktion, Ressourcenverbrauch und Umweltbelastungen. In diesem Artikel werden generelle Grundlagen und grundlegende methodische Aspekte und in weiteren Artikeln dieses Hefts wesentliche Teilaspekte des Projektes erläute...

The energy balance is an essential tool for describing the environmental impact of Austrian agricultural production by presenting the Cumulated Energy Demand (CED) and the emissions involved within the period of reference and under conditions of changed eating habits. It has thus been possible to demonstrate that a reduction in meat production make...