7.7 Summary and Final Tasks
Summary
Lesson 7 covered thermochemical methods of converting biomass into fuels. These are the main methods being considered at this point; however, research continues on additional methods and what is included may not be a complete list. The main advantage of fermentation is that it is a natural process that does not require additional chemicals, but the main disadvantage of fermentation is the processes tend to be slow. All of the thermochemical processes require heat and some other process parameters that may make them more expensive – another lesson will discuss the economics behind all of the processes we’ve discussed for comparison.
We discussed both direct and indirect methods for making fuel from biomass. These methods are not just directed towards making ethanol. Many of these processes are used to make hydrocarbon fuels that limit the amount of oxygen in the product, as too much oxygen typically results in either causing the fuel to form unwanted “gums" or a corrosive environment that will cause problems in the units and storage containers. For jet fuels, oxygenated compounds will keep the fuel from being certified for use, so most of the methods presented make deoxygenated jet fuel. I would suggest continuing to monitor the news to see the progression in certification for additional bio-based fuels.
Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson tasks!
You have reached the end of this Lesson! Double-check the Road Map on the Lesson Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin the next lesson.
Questions?
If there is anything in the lesson materials that you would like to comment on, or don't quite understand, please post your thoughts and/or questions to our Throughout the Course Questions & Comments discussion forum and/or set up an appointment for office hours. While you are there, feel free to post responses to your classmates if you are able to help.
References
Al-Sabawi, M., Chen, J., Ng, S. “Fluid Catalytic Cracking of Biomass-Derived Oils and Their Blends with Petroleum Feedstocks: A Review,” Energy Fuels, 26, 5355-5372, 2012.
Balster, L., Corporan, E., DeWitt, M., Edwards, J. T., Ervin, J.S., Graham, J.L., Lee, S-Y., Pal, S., Phelps, D.K., Rudnick, L.R., Santoro, R.J., Schobert, H.H., Shafer, L.M., Striebich, R.C., West, Z.J., Wilson, G.R, Woodward, R., Zabarnick, S. “Development of an advanced, thermally stable, coal-based jet fuel,” Fuel Processing Technology, 89 (4), 364-378, 2008.
CAPA Centre for Aviation, December 25, 2013, accessed June 17, 2014.
Conkle, H.N., Marcum, G.M., Griesenbrock, E.W., Edwards, E.W., Chauhan, S.P., Morris, Jr., R.W., Robota, H.J., Thomas, D.K., “Development of Surrogates of Alternative Liquid Fuels Generated from Biomass,” 2012, accessed June 17, 2014.
Conkle, H.N., Griesenbrock, E.W., Robota, H.J., Morris, Jr., R.W., Coppola, E.N., “Production of Unblended, “Drop-in,” Renewable Jet Fuel,” 2012, accessed June 17, 2014.
Elliott, D.C., Hart, T.R., Schmidt, A.J., Neuenschwander, G.G., Rotness, L.J., Olarte, M.V., Zacher, A.H., Albrecht, A. O., Hallen, R.T., Holladay, J.E., “Process development for hydrothermal liquefaction of algae feedstocks in a continuous-flow reactor,” Algal Research-Biomass Biofuels and Bioproducts, , 2 (4), 445-454, 2013.
Fremont, M. “Jet Fuel Contamination with FAME- World Jet Fuel Supply,” Airbus FAST Magazine, #46, August 2010, 8-13.
Kramer, S., “Alternative Fuels: Specifications and Testing,” CAAFI: Research and Development Team White Paper Series: Specifications and Testing, 2011, accessed August 20, 2014.
Hileman, J.I., Stratton, R.W., “Alternative jet fuel feasibility,” Transport Policy, article in press, 2014.
Liu, G. Yan, B., and Chen, G., “Technical review on jet fuel production,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 25, 59-70, 2013.
Martinkus N, W. Shi, N. Lovrich, J. Pierce, P. Smith, and M. Wolcott. 2014. Integrating biogeophysical and social assets into biomass-to-biofuel supply chain siting decisions, Biomass and Bioenergy 66 (2014) 410-418.
Mullen, C.A., Boateng, A., and Goldberg, N., “Production of Deoxygenated Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oils via Product Gas Recycling,” Energy Fuels, 27 (7), 3867–3874, 2013.
Westfall, P.J., Gardner, T.S., “Industrial fermentation of renewable diesel fuels,” Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 22 (3), 344-350, 2011.
The World Bank. Health [Internet]. Social capital: what is social capital? c2012. [Cited 2012 Feb 13].