environmental performance of biofuels for transportation

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Environmental Performance of Environmental Performance of Biofuels for TransportationBiofuels for Transportation

Michael MartinEnvironmental Technology and Management

Michael.Martin@liu.se

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““You can’t solve the You can’t solve the problems with the same problems with the same

kind of thinking that kind of thinking that created the problems”created the problems”

-Albert Einstein--Albert Einstein-

Relevant Option at Present:Alleviation from Biofuels…

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Overview• Biofuels for Transport, What they are• Different types of biofuels

– Brief History– Raw Materials– Production– Application in Vehicles– Benefits and Drawbacks

• Biofuels Debate• Synergies and Symbiosis Options to Improve

Performance• Future Systems• My work with Tanzanian Biodiesel

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What areWhat are Biofuels for Biofuels for

Transportation?Transportation?

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Biofuels for Transport

Vehicle fuels derived from biomass and wastes• Solid• Liquid• Gas

Replacement of traditional/conventional fuels• Total substitution• Partial (blending)• Dual Fuel

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1st vs. 2nd Generation Biofuels

First Generation Biofuels• Common• Produced from allocated

feedstocks

Second Generation Biofuels• Created from ligno-cellulose • Not common• More development needed• HUGE POTENTIAL!

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3 Main Fuels for Transport– Ethanol– Biodiesel– Biogas►SVO, Pure Vegetable Oil

Biofuels for Transport

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Ethanol

• History as a Vehicle Fuel• Raw Materials

• Production Process• Cellulosic Ethanol

• Application in Vehicles• Pros vs. Cons

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Henry Ford• Quadri-cycle• Model T• Flex Fuel Vehicle• Carburetor Adjustment for Ethanol or Gasoline

“Build a vehicle affordable to the working family and powered by a fuel that would boost the rural farm economy.” (Henry Ford)

“You can have a Model T in any color you would like, as long as it is BLACK” (Henry Ford)

History of Ethanol as a Vehicle Fuel

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Sugar Rich Crops• Sugar cane• Sugar beets

Starch Rich and Cereals• Sorghum• Sweet Potatoes• Wheat• Corn (Maize)

Ethanol Raw Materials

Cellulosic Crops Abundant…

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Ethanol Production Process

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Ethanol Production-Ligno-Cellulose

• Lignin and cellulose in Plants• Convert Cellulose to Ethanol• Lignocellulosic enzymatic fermentation• Can produce a wide range of fuels

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Ethanol for Vehicles

Examples• Flexfuel Becoming Popular (Ford, Volvo, GM, Audi, etc.)• Miljöbilar (Environmental Cars) of Stockholm• Only $100-200 (630-1300SEK) for initial chip by

manufacturers

How it Works• On board diagnostics distinguishing

– Controls fuel-air mixture

• Can run any blend of E85 and Gasoline (Petrol)

My new Project, Ford Fiesta-Miljöbil (Ethanol Conversion)• FlexiTune System• July 2008, Converted cars considered MIJLÖBILAR

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Advantages vs. DisadvantagesAdvantages Disadvantages

Use in Vehicles

• Octane Booster• Cleaner burning• Many flex fuel cars on market• Flex Fuel Conversions are Cheap

• Corrosion Problems (Older Vehicles)• Flex Fuel or Conversions Needed• Most modern engines designed for gasoline

Infrastructure • Liquid fuel, easy integration• Locally Produced

• Requires new/upgraded pumps

Environmental • Reduced GHG emissions

• Carbon Neutral• Water Soluble

• Energy balance concerns• Competition with food crops

• Sustainable?

Other • Less Toxic• Free Parking Permits• Reduces Dependence on Foreign Oil

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Biodiesel

• Biodiesel History• Raw Materials

• Production Process• Application in Vehicles

• Pros vs. Cons

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Rudolf Diesel • Ran with peanut oil• Optimistic about biofuels for future• 1st Diesel Engine, 1893• Alterations because of low petroleum prices

“The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and coal-tar products at the present time.” (Rudolf Diesel, 1920)

Biodiesel History

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Raw Materials• Sunflower Oil • Rapeseed (Canola)• Waste Cooking Oils• Animal Fats• Soybean Oil• Jatropha• Cashews• Algae• Etc....

Biodiesel Raw Materials

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Biodiesel Production

Production• Transesterification of oils and fats• Seperate glycerin and methyl esters• Uses Methanol or Ethanol and catalysts

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Advantages vs. DisadvantagesAdvantages Disadvantages

Use in Vehicles

• Cleansing Qualities• Better Lubricity• Used in Any Diesel Engine

• Increased service (filters, etc.)• 10% lower efficiency• “Gelling” issues• Check Warranty

Infrastructure • Blended easily• No special requirements

• Not generally available (RME)

Environmental • Reduced GHG emissions• Easily biodegradable• Sulfur and Aromatics Free

• Increased NOX emissions (certain raw materials)

Other • Less Toxic• Reduces Dependence on Foreign Oil•By-products used for biogas and other purposes

• A bit more expensive• Taxes in Sweden on Diesels

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Biogas

• Raw Materials• Production Process

• Application in Vehicles• Pros vs. Cons

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Raw Materials• Manure• Food Residues• Biomass • Sewage• Landfills• Glycerin• Rubber• Fats

Biogas

Mats Eklund and his V70 Bi-fuel

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Biogas Production

• Anaerobic fermentation of organic matter• Produces methane and CO2

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Bi-Fuel Vehicle System

• 2 Tanks (Gasoline <Petrol> and CNG)• Choice Between CNG or Biogas and Gasoline• Automatic Switch and/or Manual Switch

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Advantages vs. DisadvantagesAdvantages Disadvantages

Use in Vehicles

• Bi-fuel Vehicle (Gas or Methane)• Clean burning fuel

• Expensive Tanks• Increased Weight

Infrastructure • Can be combined with current methane distribution

• Not common infrastructure for vehicles• Special pumping needed• Hard to transport

Environmental • Reduced GHG emissions• Methane emissions captured• No crops or plantations required• Less nitrogen fertilizers required if byproducts used

Other • Free Parking Permits• Made from any organic waste

• Costly initial investments

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Straight Vegetable Oil

• Application in Vehicles

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Car runs on vegetable oil!• Must be a diesel• Requires special conversion

How it works...• Vegetable Oil Cleaned• Vegetable Oil Heated• Injected into pistons

Straight Vegetable Oil

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The Biofuels Debate

ScientistsMedia

Politicians

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Brazilian Exploitation of Labor

• Depletion of Rain forests for sugar cane and palm?• Is it really carbon neutral?• Increased NOx levels (Some biodiesel feedstocks)• Exploitation of Developing Countries by Europe and USA

Are biofuels Sustainable?

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Biofuels diverting crops

Effects• Corn prices rising• Soy bean prices rising• More crops for biofuels

Results• Corn product prices increasing

– E.g. Mexican Tortillas

• Animal Feed prices rising• Milk prices rising• Cereal prices rising

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Supporters

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Contesters

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• Pål Börjesson Example• Synergies and Symbiosis Measures• Biofuel specific crops• Use biofuels for production

Environmental Performance Improvements

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Synergies and Symbiosis

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Cashew Biodiesel, Tanzania

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Biofuels Production• Biodiesel byproducts for biogas production

– Glycerin– Seedcakes– Fruits, Shells

• Use of ethanol for transesterification process– Replacement of Methanol

• Trapping of CO2 for photosynthesis of biomass for biofuels– Algae for biodiesel

• Use of discarded plant components to produce biofuels • Mixture of waste products with feedstocks for production of

biofuels– Manure mixed with other by-products for biogas

production

Synergies in Biofuel Production

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Biofuel Production Systems• Utilization of waste heat from incinerators• Seedcakes and malt used as high protein fodder

• Replace soy imports• Sharing Transportation, Heating and Water Supplies

Symbiosis Options

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Future Possibilities, Algae

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Biodiesel for Tanzania

Purpose • Feasibility Study

• Raw Materials• Actors• Purchasing

• Small Scale LOCAL usage

Aims• Introduction of Sustainability• Alleviation of petroleum imports• Local Economy• Bring electricity and development to Tanzania

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Ageratec AB, Norrköping

• Small to Large Scale Production• Batch Processing• Online Support Systems• Water Free Production• Methanol (Ethanol) Recovery• Portable, Affordable Options

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Other Customers• European Market• Developing Countries

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Conclusions

• Biofuels are relevant for vehicles today• Biofuels do not come without debate• Synergies will alleviate energy concerns and

improve biofuels performance measures• Balance between crops for biofuels and food

must be found• Future innovations are crucial for success

Tack så mycket!