Integrated Environmental and Exergoeconomic Analysis of Biomass‐Derived Maleic Anhydride

Life cycle analysis and exergy are applied to compare the production of maleic anhydride from different feedstock, both biomass- petrochemical-derived raw materials, in order evaluate sustainability alternative biorefinery processes conventional routes. The considered involve two options: gas aqueous phase furfural oxidation with oxygen (air) hydrogen peroxide as oxidants, respectively, sustainable technologies because use renewable feedstock. Conventional routes, used benchmarks, include current using benzene or butane materials. results show that process is far being viable an energy environmental point view due high destruction H2O2 oxidant (whose entails important drawbacks). On contrary, shows competitive petrochemical technologies. Nevertheless, major drawback new furfural-to-maleic detected on profile starting material. suggest a better footprint for can be obtained if environmentally friendly at commercial scale.