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+.
A European Vision.
2005 2010/2020 2030 and 2030+
1st Generation, 2nd Generation, Integrated
biorefineries
e.g. biodiesel e.g. bioethanol
and sunfuel

First Generation (Conventional) Biofuels.
Biofuel Type Specific Names Biomass Production
Feedstock Process
Bioethanol Conventional bioethanol Sugar beet, grains Hydrolysis &
fermentation
Vegetable Oil Pure plant oil (PPO) Oil crops (e.g. rape Cold pressing/
seed) extraction
Biodiesel Biodiesel from energy
crops
Rape seed methyl ester Oil crops (e.g. rape Cold pressing/
(RME), fatty acid seed) extraction &
methyl/ethyl ester transesterification
(FAME/FAEE)
Biodiesel Biodiesel from waste Waste/cooking/
FAME/FAEE 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 Production
Feedstock Process
Bioethanol Cellulosic bioethanol Lignocellulosic Advanced hydrolysis
material & fermentation
Synthetic Biofuels Biomass-to-liquids (BTL): Lignocellulosic Gasification &
material synthesis
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel
Synthetic (bio)diesel
Biomethanol
Heavier (mixed) alcohols
Biodimethylether (Bio-DME)
Biodiesel Hydro-treated biodiesel Vegetable oils & Hydro-treatment
animal fat
Biogas SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) Lignocellulosic Gasification &
material synthesis
Biohydrogen Lignocellulosic Gasification &
material 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
mp & Crop origin PU
Ethanol from Sugar Beat
Potato Starch 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