An Overview of the Classification, Production and Utilization of Biofuels for Internal Combustion Engine Applications
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the classification, generation, and utilization of biofuels, particularly in internal combustion engine (ICE) applications, and highlighted the advantages of the application of biogas, bioalcohol, and hydrogen in spark ignition engines, as well as biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch fuel, and dimethyl ether in compression ignition engines.
Abstract: Biofuel, a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally benign fuel produced from renewable sources, has been accepted as a sustainable replacement and a panacea for the damaging effects of the exploration for and consumption of fossil-based fuels. The current work examines the classification, generation, and utilization of biofuels, particularly in internal combustion engine (ICE) applications. Biofuels are classified according to their physical state, technology maturity, the generation of feedstock, and the generation of products. The methods of production and the advantages of the application of biogas, bioalcohol, and hydrogen in spark ignition engines, as well as biodiesel, Fischer–Tropsch fuel, and dimethyl ether in compression ignition engines, in terms of engine performance and emission are highlighted. The generation of biofuels from waste helps in waste minimization, proper waste disposal, and sanitation. The utilization of biofuels in ICEs improves engine performance and mitigates the emission of poisonous gases. There is a need for appropriate policy frameworks to promote commercial production and seamless deployment of these biofuels for transportation applications with a view to guaranteeing energy security.
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TL;DR: In this article, the main steps for algal biofuel fabrication are the cultivation of biomass, and three methods of biohydrogen production in the microalgal cells: direct biophotolysis, indirect biophotonics, fermentation.
Abstract: Abstract Biofuels are the promising alternative to exhaustible, environmentally unsafe fossil fuels. Algal biomass is attractive raw for biofuel production. Its cultivation does not compete for cropland with agricultural growing of food crop for biofuel and does not require complex treatment methods in comparison with lignocellulose-enriched biomass. Many microalgae are mixotrophs, so they can be used as energy source and as sewage purifier simultaneously. One of the main steps for algal biofuel fabrication is the cultivation of biomass. Photobioreactors and open-air systems are used for this purpose. The formers allow the careful cultivation control, but the latter ones are cheaper and simpler. Biomass conversion processes may be divided to the thermochemical, chemical, biochemical methods and direct combustion. For biodiesel production, triglyceride-enriched biomass undergoes transetherification. For bioalcohol production, biomass is subjected to fermentation. There are three methods of biohydrogen production in the microalgal cells: direct biophotolysis, indirect biophotolysis, fermentation.
180 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors investigated the RCCI mode of operation in a light-duty diesel engine by introducing Cottonseed oil biodiesel as high reactivity fuel directly into the combustion chamber and n-pentanol as low-reactivity fuel intake.
42 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the economic benefits and costs surrounding conventional biofuels and suggests the need for further development of a third-generation feedstock based on algae are discussed. And the potential for a policy framework for supporting microalgae as a source of bio-fuels given the numerous associated positive externalities.
Abstract: Despite the initial environmental and supply benefits associated with conventional biofuels leading to substantial policy support, research has indicated that these benefits might have been overly optimistic. Negative externalities associated with food and resource allocation have also resulted in an increasing scepticism about the long-term potential of transitioning to biofuels. This review presents the economic benefits and costs surrounding conventional biofuels and suggests the need for further development of a third-generation feedstock based on algae. The article provides guidance on the potential for a policy framework for supporting microalgae as a source of biofuels given the numerous associated positive externalities.
20 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review of cost effective technologies and the processes to convert biomass into useful liquid bio-fuels and bioproducts, with particular focus on some biorefinery concepts based on different feedstocks aiming at the integral utilization of these feedstocks for the production of value added chemicals.
Abstract: Sustainable economic and industrial growth requires safe, sustainable resources of energy. For the future re-arrangement of a sustainable economy to biological raw materials, completely new approaches in research and development, production, and economy are necessary. The ‘first-generation’ biofuels appear unsustainable because of the potential stress that their production places on food commodities. For organic chemicals and materials these needs to follow a biorefinery model under environmentally sustainable conditions. Where these operate at present, their product range is largely limited to simple materials (i.e. cellulose, ethanol, and biofuels). Second generation biorefineries need to build on the need for sustainable chemical products through modern and proven green chemical technologies such as bioprocessing including pyrolysis, Fisher Tropsch, and other catalytic processes in order to make more complex molecules and materials on which a future sustainable society will be based. This review focus on cost effective technologies and the processes to convert biomass into useful liquid biofuels and bioproducts, with particular focus on some biorefinery concepts based on different feedstocks aiming at the integral utilization of these feedstocks for the production of value added chemicals.
2,814 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of the potential role that hydrogen could play in the provision of electricity, heat, industry, transport and energy storage in a low-carbon energy system, and an assessment of the status of hydrogen in being able to fulfil that potential is presented in this article.
Abstract: Hydrogen technologies have experienced cycles of excessive expectations followed by disillusion. Nonetheless, a growing body of evidence suggests these technologies form an attractive option for the deep decarbonisation of global energy systems, and that recent improvements in their cost and performance point towards economic viability as well. This paper is a comprehensive review of the potential role that hydrogen could play in the provision of electricity, heat, industry, transport and energy storage in a low-carbon energy system, and an assessment of the status of hydrogen in being able to fulfil that potential. The picture that emerges is one of qualified promise: hydrogen is well established in certain niches such as forklift trucks, while mainstream applications are now forthcoming. Hydrogen vehicles are available commercially in several countries, and 225 000 fuel cell home heating systems have been sold. This represents a step change from the situation of only five years ago. This review shows that challenges around cost and performance remain, and considerable improvements are still required for hydrogen to become truly competitive. But such competitiveness in the medium-term future no longer seems an unrealistic prospect, which fully justifies the growing interest and policy support for these technologies around the world.
1,938 citations
TL;DR: A critical review that summarizes state-of-the-art technologies for biogas upgrading and enhancement with particular attention to the emerging biological methanation processes.
815 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, recent developments in the production of hydrogen fuel, applications and storage together with the environmental impacts of hydrogen as energy carrier are emphasized. But, storage remains a big challenge.
Abstract: Transportation of people and commodities being a socio-economic criterion needs clean energy and the demand is kept on increasing with modernization. Consequently, generation of a fuel with safer, efficient, economic and reasonably environmental friendly features is the key issue towards fulfilling such demands. Hydrogen seems to be an ideal synthetic energy carrier due to its lightweight, exclusive abundance and environmentally benign oxidation product (water). However, storage remains a big challenge. In this communication, recent developments in the production of hydrogen fuel, applications and storage together with the environmental impacts of hydrogen as energy carrier are emphasized.
666 citations
TL;DR: A review of the worldwide history, current status, and predictable future trend of bioenergy and bio-fuels can be found in this paper, with a focus on the development and utilization of renewable energy such as bioenergy.
Abstract: The recent energy independence and climate change policies encourage development and utilization of renewable energy such as bioenergy. Biofuels in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms have been intensively researched, produced, and used over the past 15 years. This paper reviews the worldwide history, current status, and predictable future trend of bioenergy and biofuels. Bioenergy has been utilized for cooking, heating, and lighting since the dawn of humans. The energy stored in annually produced biomass by terrestrial plants is 3–4 times greater than the current global energy demand. Solid biofuels include firewood, wood chips, wood pellets, and wood charcoal. The global consumption of firewood and charcoal has been remaining relatively constant, but the use of wood chips and wood pellets for electricity (biopower) generation and residential heating doubled in the past decade and will increase steadily into the future. Liquid biofuels cover bioethanol, biodiesel, pyrolysis bio-oil, and drop-in transportation fuels. Commercial production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials has just started, supplementing the annual supply of 22 billion gallons predominantly from food crops. Biodiesel from oil seeds reached the 5670 million gallons/yr production capacity, with further increases depending on new feedstock development. Bio-oil and drop-in biofuels are still in the development stage, facing cost-effective conversion and upgrading challenges. Gaseous biofuels extend to biogas and syngas. Production of biogas from organic wastes by anaerobic digestion has been rapidly increasing in Europe and China, with the potential to displace 25% of the current natural gas consumption. In comparison, production of syngas from gasification of woody biomass is not cost-competitive and therefore, narrowly practiced. Overall, the global development and utilization of bioenergy and biofuels will continue to increase, particularly in the biopower, lignocellulosic bioethanol, and biogas sectors. It is expected that by 2050 bioenergy will provide 30% of the world’s demanded energy.
641 citations