The application of the life cycle assessment technique for the acrylonitrile production from glycerol is proposed with propylene or glycerol as the main feedstock to compare the results, aiming at evaluating the environmental impacts generated in the process. The glycerol-based process from two sources (soybean, waste cooking oil) demonstrated promise in reducing fossil fuels and water consumption.

Abstract

Acrylonitrile is a monomer traded as a commodity on the global market with applications in several industrial sectors, produced from the ammoxidation of propylene. New technological alternatives are being studied, reducing the use of petroleum derivatives through renewable raw materials. This article proposes the application of the life cycle assessment technique for acrylonitrile production from glycerol, with the objective of evaluating the environmental impacts generated in the process. The results demonstrated that the use of glycerol from the state of Mato Grosso can reduce consumption of fossil fuel and water by 45 % and 31 %, respectively. The results about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were little significant when replacing the raw material.