TM
Advanced biofuels
In the debate on climate change and reduction
of greenhouse gases emissions, first, second or even
third generation biofuels are frequently mentioned.
The use of the concept of different generations can be
in itself confusing. However it should be noted that
it is a simplifying term used to categorise what is in
reality a diverse range of technologies and feedstock
types. Advanced biofuels (2nd and 3rd generations)
offer the chance to have a better environmental
impact and are aimed at the use of non-food feedstock
and residues of food feedstock.
As these advanced biofuels come to the market they
will coexist with first generation biofuels, and as
technology improves their market share will gradually
increase. The wide spread adoption of first generation
biofuels, using technology that is well known today,
is necessary to speed up the development and market
introduction of advanced biofuels. This in turn will
help address scale-up and distribution issues and
create a broader market.
BIOFUELS FACTSHEET
Process flow diagram for ethanol production from ligno-cellulose
Biomass
Pre-treatment
Hydrolysis
Glucose &
Pentose
Monomers,
Lignin
Cellulose,
Hemicellulose,
Lignin
Grinder
Fermentation
Product
Separation
Fermentation
broth
Ethanol
Co-products
Energy
Energy
Enzymes
Yeast,
Bacteria
Residue
(process fuel)
Source: International Energy Agency, Gaps in the research of second generation transportation biofuels
Using hydrogenation (the catalytic reaction of oils and fats with hydrogen),
novel processes are being developed as an alternative to the well
established trans-esterification procedure. This process can produce a high
quality syndiesel from low quality feedstocks like tallow, used cooking oils
and fats4-5.
BIOFUELS FACTSHEET
Laboratory
Pilot Plant
Demonstration Plant
Market
Sugar/starch ethanol
Ligno-cellulosic ethanol
Biobutanol
Jatropha biodiesel
BTL
Algae biodiesel
It should be noted that the technology development status (specially for the demonstration stage) is not homogenous in different part of the world.
For instance ligno-cellulosic ethanol demonstration already exist in the U.S. and China.
2.1 Bioethanol and biobutanol
A number of demonstration plants to produce ligno-cellulosic ethanol Enzyme technology for making ligno-cellulosic ethanol will be available
are now operating or under construction in the EU and in North America7. soon9. Full scale commercialisation is expected to happen over the coming
Regular updates on the development of production facilities are provided years, most probably before 2015.
by the International Energy Agency on its website8.
Pre-treatment effect on ligno-cellulosic material.
Source: (From Hsu et al., 1980) / International Energy Agency, Gaps in the research of second generation transportation biofuels
Biobutanol from fermentation was a process used in the first half of the biobutanol yield of the process to improve its competitiveness. Two large
20th century. Though neither particularly efficient nor competitive with companies10 have developed plans to convert an existing bioethanol plant
petrochemical processes, some production plants remained in China which for biobutanol production as soon as the technology is available. They are
are now reactivated to produce biobutanol fuel. With higher oil prices and planning a pilot plant to further develop the technology. It is expected to
environmental concerns several groups are attempting to increase the be operational in 2010.
BIOFUELS FACTSHEET
2.2 Biodiesel
Jatropha is a tropical and subtropical plant which contains more than
30% oil11. It is a potential new feedstock for the production of non-edible
plantoils for energy use. It is currently grown and tested in countries such
as India, Indonesia, Brazil and several African countries. In the future, it
may become an attractive alternative to established oil crops, since it is
an environmentally flexible crop with reduced water needs and hence has
potential to become a sustainable source of bioenergy production. The first
crude jatropha oil was produced in 2008 and commercial fuel is expected
become available in 2009/2010.12
the biodiesel synthesis process means that 100% of the feedstock is used15.
This process should be commercially available within the next five years.
The development of BTL (biomass-to-liquid) for the production of synthetic
diesel is most advanced in Europe, particularly in Germany. Industry is16
expected to have its first industrial scale production plant operational
within the next three to five years.
The use of algae for the production of biomass and oils for biofuels is still in
its early stages17. In the production process, algae can be cultivated in open
With new processes under development, it is now possible to reuse ponds to capture carbon dioxide from the air. This CO2 can also be processed
glycerol13 a by-product of the current biodiesel production process for as a waste product from power station, which is captured via closed glass
biodiesel production. Biotransformation of glycerol into oils by means of or plastic tube circulation fermentors.
algae and yeasts14 as well as the reintroduction of the residual glycerol in
Feedstocks
examples
Bioethanol
Production cost
CO2 profile**
/MWh
Corn (US)
90
46
63
Wheat (EU)
Sugar beets (EU)
Sugarcane (Brazil)
69
Biodiesel
35
25
47
12
41
64
Rapeseed (EU)
40-80
59
30-70
15
Wood*
Other lignocellulosic feedstock*
60-105
42
(Fischer-Tropsch)
25-60
15
BIOFUELS FACTSHEET
Source: Novozymes
BIOFUELS FACTSHEET
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