Melvyn Askew: Introduction To Biofuels

AN INTRODUCTION TO BIOFUELS : where are we and where are we going to?

Melvyn F. Askew

Founder of Census-Bio

Visiting Professor at Harper Adams

University College

Fellow of Central Science Laboratory

Visiting Professor, INF, Poznan, Poland

Harper Adams University College.

Central Science Laboratory.

EU TARGETS FOR SUSTAINABLE, SECURE AND AFFORDABLE SUPPLIES OF

ENERGY

20% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020

20% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 ( Based upon 1990)

20% renewable energy in overall energy mix by 2020.

10% min biofuels for vehicles by 2020

FIRST CONCLUSION:Liquid biofuels cannot be considered on their own, in isolation from other energy sources

and uses.

Current achievement of renewable energy (NB renewable not just biorenewable!!)

Data here relate to EU in 2006.

All renewables = 7% cf 12% as 2010 target.

Biofuels = 1.4% cf 5.75% target for 2010.

Electricity = 15% cf 21% target for 2010.

Heating and cooling = 9% but no formal targets in EU.

The above are EU figures based on information from DG Res.

Polluting gases

There are a range of gaseous emissions that create pollution and a further range of molecules that impact on ozone, with adverse knock on effects on environment.

Of the former the key elements are NOx; Methane; Carbon Dioxide.

Basically UK is doing quite well in all areas EXCEPT CO2 and that is continuing to increase.

REDUCTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS

There are several options:

1.Stop doing it

2.Substitute something that creates more of a carbon balance eg biorenewables

3.Think laterally and join up policies and aims

4.Produce alternatives with equal performance

AND IT MAY NOT BE THE END PRODUCT WHICH PRODUCES MOST EMISSIONS!!

REMEMBER UK WAS TARGETTING MASSIVE CO2 REDUCTIONS BY 2050:

60% OF THE 1990 VALUES FOR CO2 – BUT THAT IS LIKELY TO BECOME 80%

Biofuel Vision for 2030.

Technology roadmap: vision for biofuels for 2030+.

2005

1st Generation,

e.g. biodiesel

2010/2020

2nd Generation,

e.g. bioethanol and sunfuel

2030 and 2030+

Integrated biorefineries

A European Vision.

First Generation (Conventional) Biofuels.

Biofuel Type Specific Names Biomass

Feedstock

Production

Process

Bioethanol Conventional bioethanol Sugar beet, grains Hydrolysis &

fermentation

Vegetable Oil Pure plant oil (PPO) Oil crops (e.g. rape

seed)

Cold pressing/

extraction

Biodiesel Biodiesel from energy

crops

Rape seed methyl ester

(RME), fatty acid

methyl/ethyl ester

(FAME/FAEE)

Oil crops (e.g. rape

seed)

Cold pressing/

extraction &

transesterification

Biodiesel Biodiesel from waste

FAME/FAEE

Waste/cooking/

frying oil/animal fat

Biogas Upgraded biogas (Wet) biomass

Bio-ETBE Bioethanol

A WORD ON BIOBUTANOL

More energy content than ethanol.

Mixes easily with gasoline.

Does not absorb significant amounts of water.

Requires lower investment per tonne of capacity provided pipeline distribution is used

Making first generation biofuels

Biodiesel :

fatty acid ( ie. vegetable oil or animal fat) + alcohol ( usually methyl alcohol) + a pinch of a catalyst like caustic soda = first generation biodiesel + glycerol.

Bioethanol ( replaces gasoline)

= fermented sugars or starches eg from maize or sugar beet/cane or wheat.

FIRST GENERATION BIOFUELS : A CONCLUSION

First generation biofuels tend to use existing technologies ( eg fermentation of sugars or esterification of oils ) to transform current crops , especially food crops, into gasoline and diesel replacements.

This may cause a food versus fuel conflict.

Second Generation Biofuels.

Biofuel Type Specific Names Biomass

Feedstock

Production

Process

Bioethanol Cellulosic bioethanol Lignocellulosic

material

Advanced hydrolysis

& fermentation

Synthetic Biofuels Biomass-to-liquids (BTL):

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel

Synthetic (bio)diesel

Biomethanol

Heavier (mixed) alcohols

Biodimethylether (Bio-DME)

Lignocellulosic

material

Gasification &

synthesis

Biodiesel Hydro-treated biodiesel Vegetable oils &

animal fat

Hydro-treatment

Biogas SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) Lignocellulosic

material

Gasification &

synthesis

Biohydrogen Lignocellulosic

material

Gasification &

synthesis or

biological process

CRL’s direct-chip SRC harvester

Trees and Grassland.

Another conclusion: Second generation biofuels

Second generation biofuels use new ( newer if FT) technologies that are not yet always fully proven.

Second generation biofuels tend to be based upon wood or similar wastes containing large amounts of ligno-cellulosic and hemi-cellulosic molecules.

Second generation biofuel feedstocks may conflict with market demands for heating biofuels but there is no food conflict.

An important digression!!

In terms of reducing energy, the use of biofuels is the lowest option after heat et cetera.

In terms of government investment, the reduction of energy caused by investment in good insulation is by far the ‘best buy’.

Cooling is becoming increasingly important for energy and for insulation demands.

Anaerobic digestion of wastes and avoidance of landfill is usually overlooked.

Back to reducing the fuel demand for vehicles

Current Uses:

Optimising Use of Bio-Resources.

Reduced speed = Reduced fuel consumption

Finished Product – eco one

Finished Product – eco one

Rape Seed Oil

Potato Starch

Ethanol from Sugar BeatHemp & Crop origin PU

CNSL & Kenaf

Biofuels : where now??

Remember The Gallagher Review of the Indirect Effects of Biofuel Production

Food versus Fuel

The key causal areas:

USA and maize production for bioethanol has changed land use in South America. This has INCREASED CO2 production on a net basis relative to use of fossil oils.

Use of tropical oils eg palm for biodiesel manufacture has increased forest degradation and clearance with adverse net CO2 effects.

THE FUTURE FOR BIOFUELS

-In due course, second generation liquid biofuels will be widely introduced.

-Much potential for bioheat/energy ( nb cooling too).

-Biogas should not be overlooked but has been in the past in UK

-Waste oils are not necessarily best as car fuels – think of marine engines and think of solvents too. NB vehicle warranty!!

In conclusion

Biofuels can offer options for reducing CO2 pollution.

Current emphasis is on first generation biofuels but second generation will be more important and fit in with feedstock wastes/supplies more easily.

Heat and power are better buys for national investment that biofuels alone.

National policies are not integrated adequately