LCA of sustainable biodiesel production from fried Borassus flabellifer oil in energy-proficient reactors: Impact assessment of multi fuel-additives on pour point, NOx and engine performance

[Display omitted] •Sustainable Fried palm biodiesel production by energy-efficient ultrasound-infrared radiation.•LCA shows greater sustainability of the novel production process over conventional.•Optimal 2-ethylhexyl acetate and triacetin mix additives improved pour point, NOx emission.•LCA confirmed sustainable engine performance, eco-friendliness of biodiesel-additive(s).•Successful management of all the environmental impact categories for overall sustainability. Sustainable reductions in energy and time requirements in fried palm oil (Borassus flabellifer) biodiesel (FPOB) production (97% yield) have been achieved in differently powered reactors viz., low-energy infrared radiation (LEIR) (0.131 kWh) and LEIR with ultrasonic-energy (LEIRUE) (0.12 kWh) in comparison with conventional heating energy (CHE: 0.664 kWh). Life cycle assessment (LCA) employing IMPACT 2002 + indicated adverse environmental impacts of energy-intensive CHE reactor generating 28.4% more respiratory organics, 67.6% augmented global warming and additional 38.3% energy utilization in comparison with the novel LEIRUE reactor. Feasibility of 2-ethylhexyl acetate (2EHA), triacetin (TA), and 5 other esters were assessed as fuel additives (FAs) for FPOB (B100) and diesel-FPOB (B10) in conventional diesel engine. The optimal 1:1 v/v mix of the two best FAs (2EHA + TA) i.e., ETA was blended in 5, 7, and 10 vol% with B10 and B100 for impact assessment. Remarkably, the best 7 vol% ETA blending could successfully diminish pour point and NOx emission by 36 ± 1% and 28 ± 1% respectively for B100. The LCA also confirmed that 7 vol% ETA (for B10 and B100) blending could manage all the impact categories ascertaining environmental sustainability. Thus, ETA can find applications as a potent FA for B100 and B10 blends.