BIOFUELS

Dr. G.Naga Srinivasulu

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,

National Institute of Technology
Warangal

Summary
1.
2.
3.

Definition of Biofuels
Types of Biofuels
Characteristics of Biofuels

DEFINITION OF BIOFUELS

Biofuels are liquid fuels, which are made from a

variety of sources of biomass:
plant materials
types of crops
recycled or waste vegetable oils
Biofuels can be used in internal combustion engines,
as a replacement or complement of petrol and
diesel.

BIOFUELS

Reasons for promoting biofuels are:

To contribute to the security of energy supply;
To contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions;
To promote a greater use of renewable energy;
To diversify agricultural economies into new
markets.

TYPES OF BIOFUELS
The
1.

1.

two main biofuels are:

Bioethanol, as a substitute or additive for
petrol;
Biodiesel, as a substitute for diesel;

BIODIESEL

BIODIESEL

Biodiesel is a general name for methyl esters from

organic feedstock.
Biodiesel can be made from a wide range of
vegetable oils:
rapeseed the most common one
sunflower
palm oil
soy
recycled cooking oils

USE OF BIODIESEL

Biodiesel can be used pure or

blended.

Most common blends is 5% biodiesel,

95% diesel

Blends above 5% may invalidate

manufacturers warranty
Blends above 30% may require
modifications in the engine

rubber seals perishing and injectors

blocking

BIODIESEL AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Use

of 100% biodiesel would reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by 40 to 50%.

But,

this is not common

Use of 5% blend reduces CO2 emissions
by 2 to 2.5%.
Biodiesel

is biodegradable

BIOETHANOL

Bioethanol is a alcohol produced from the fermentation of

sugarcane and corn: Brazil and USA
sugar beet or wheat: Europe, mainly Spain, Poland and France
are the main producers
Technology to produce bioethanol from cellulosic materials
(agricultural and wood wastes) and separated domestic wastes
is not yet well developed

BIOETHANOL

A 5% blend of Bioethanol does not require vehicle

modifications, nor affects manufacturers warranty.

Substitute for MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) in petrol

(octane enhancer)

Flexible Fuelled Vehicles (FFV), can use higher concentrations

of bioethanol
Ford, Volvo and Saab sell FFV (blend of 85% bioethanol
and 15% petrol)

USE OF BIOETHANOL

The energy content of bioethanol is about two-thirds that of

petrol

Bioethanol is an alcohol contains oxygen (C2H5OH)

Need to adjust air/fuel ratio modern engines do it up to 10%

bioethanol blends

Bioethanol has a higher latent heat of evaporation

Consumption is higher (volume)

poorer cold start ability in winter. Petrol may need to be used for
start

Bioethanol is an octane enhancer

Higher compression ratios may be used More efficiency!!

BIOETHANOL AND THE ENVIRONMENT

For 100% bioethanol the reductions are typically

50 to 60% on a life-cycle basis compared with
conventional fossil fuels.

5% blends would bring approximately 2.5 to 3%

net reductions.

BIOFUELS ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Producing biodiesel from oil seeds costs about twice as much

as diesel from crude oil

Producing bioethanol costs about 2-3 times as much as petrol

from crude oil

Thus
Duty reductions or exemptions are necessary

Thank you for your attention!