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In this paper, environmental impacts occurred by different type of fuel used in a double-chambered crematory were analyzed and evaluated. Four kinds of fuel, which are diesel, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), electricity and biomass gas derived from gasification, were selected, whereas 60 kg of human corpse was assumed. Methodologies proposed in this paper consist of Greenhouse Gas emission, and damages to human health with ecosystem, which were analyzed by ReCipe Midpoint and Endpoint V1.05. The utilization of electricity for cremation process resulted in highest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission, which was 388 kgCO 2 -eq. At a same time, it was discovered high amount of GHG releasing from utilization of biomass producer gas, due to amount of fuel consumption and fuel's carbon content. It was investigated that using of diesel and LPG caused of drastic human toxicity after cremation process, by the formation of nitrogen oxide and unburnt carbon monoxide occurred from deficient combustion. Consequently, these evaluation results promoted the benefit of biomass energy utilization, in order to reduce fossil depletion and toxic emission, and it can be implied as carbon neutral concept. Likewise, if electricity will be applied as fuel for cremation, increasing the ratio of green energy in electricity production can decrease the environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the trend of utilizing oil palm residue, i.e. the empty fruit bunches (EFB) left after extraction of the palm oil, using a case study of Malaysia, which is one of the world''s major palm oil producers, and discusses the environmental performance of recycling technologies being developed in Malaysia for fuel, fiber, and fertilizer. Seven technologies are analyzed: ethanol production, methane recovery, briquette production, biofuel for combined heat and power (CHP) plants, composting, medium density fiberboard (MDF) production, and pulp and paper production. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used to discuss the environmental impacts of these technologies for adding value to this biomass. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to determine the land use effects for the various technologies utilizing EFB and to estimate the energy generation potential of raw EFB in CHP plants and methane production. Among the technologies for energy production, CHP plants have the best performance if the electricity generated is connected to the national grid, with superior benefits in the majority of impact categories compared to briquette, methane, and ethanol production. Overall, we find that methane recovery and composting are more environmentally friendly than other technologies, as measured by reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Pulp and paper, and MDF production are favorable technologies for land use impacts; however, they have intense primary energy requirements, chemical use in the processes, and emissions from their waste treatment systems. Our results provide information for decision makers when planning for sustainable use of oil palm biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current production processes for meat products have been shown to have a significant impact on the environment, accounting for between 15% and 24% of current greenhouse gas emissions. Meat consumption has been increasing at a fantastic rate and is likely to continue to do so into the future. If this demand is to be met, technology used in production in the form of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) will need to be expanded. This paper estimates future meat consumption and discusses the potential aggregate environmental impact of this production if the use of CAFOs is expanded. I first separate meat into beef, chicken and pig products and estimate the elasticities associated with each product in order to forecast the world demand for meat. Using research on the environmental impact of food production in the US, which uses one of the most efficient CAFO processes in the world, I then calculate the total potential greenhouse emissions of this meat production and discuss the impact of these consumption patterns. I find that, under an expanded CAFO system, meat production in the future will still be a large producer of greenhouse gases, accounting for up to 6.3% of current greenhouse gas emissions in 2030. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]