Integrated environmental and economic assessment of syngas production from wheat straw via novel downdraft fixed‐bed gasification

Abstract The environmental challenges posed by fossil fuels and climate change increasingly acknowledge biomass gasification as a vital renewable energy alternative. This study assesses the environmental and economic implications of syngas production from the gasification of wheat straw using a fixed‐bed downdraft gasifier. A gate‐to‐gate life cycle assessment was performed using GaBi software and the ReCiPe 2016 method, with a functional unit of one ton of wheat straw. Midpoint results of the current study, with grid mix power, showed a climate change (GWP) of 2.21E+07 kg CO 2 eq., a photochemical ozone formation, ecosystems (POFP, E) of 5.40E+05 kg NOx eq., and a fossil depletion (FDP) of 5.62E+06 kg oil eq. At the same time, the proposed photovoltaic scenario showed GWP as 1.99E+06 kg CO 2 eq, POFP as 7.02E+04 kg NOx eq, and FDP as 1.35E+06 kg oil eq. Transitioning to a photovoltaic energy scenario results in reductions of 91% in GWP, 87% in POFP, and 76% in FDP, respectively. Dominant substance analysis indicates that electricity is the key contributor to several midpoint impact categories in the current study. Sensitivity analysis revealed that electricity, compressed air, and steam were critical inputs among the major determinants of environmental performance. The economic assessment indicates financial feasibility, including a 2.2 years payback period, USD 16.68 million net present value for 20 years lifespan, and 45% initial rate of return. The findings help achieve Sustainable Development Goals 7, 12, and 13 and validate the circular economy concept.