BIOFUELSProf. Dr. Fatma Ashour

2009

THINK OUTSIDE THE BARREL …THINK GREEN

Meaning of BiofuelBio

Biological

Resources

Fuel

Energy Source

Bio Fuel

Energy Source from

Biological Resources

Biodiesel

Feedstock (Raw Material)

Fats

Animal Fat

SoybeanRapeseed

Jatropha

WVO

Mixing

Reaction

Separator Washing

Production

Bioethanol

Feedstock (Raw Material)

Production

Cellulosic Ethanol

Algae Diesel

BiomassEnergy CropsAgricultural and Forestry WastesIndustrial and Consumer Wastes

Biomass

Biogas

Biogas Production Steps

BioHydrogen

BTL (Biomass-to-Liquid)

Biofuels vs. Fossil Fuels

Biofuels: Strengths & Opportunities1. Fossil fuels contribute to global warming by

increasing GHG emissions

Biofuels reduce GHG emissions (closed carbon dioxide cycle)

BiofuelsFossils

Biofuels: Strengths & Opportunities2. Energy Security:

Decrease dependency on crude oil

Decrease imports of crude oil

Energy diversification

3. Renewable

4. Less toxic

5. Sustainable use of otherwise problematic waste

products

Biofuels: Strengths & Opportunities6. Economic Benefits

Economic use of wasteland Useful co-products Carbon Credit Opportunities Additional distribution channel for agricultural

products Decentralized production and thus strengthen

rural economies

Biofuels: Weaknesses & Threats1. The biofuel market is a relatively new market

2. Feedstock production of biofuels is in competition

with food production

3. Feedstock production may be land consuming

4. Feedstock production largely depends on many

vagaries of nature

Biofuels: Weaknesses & Threats5. Economic viability: Fuel prices largely depend on

the sale of co-products

6. Lower energy content per volume than fossil fuels

Special Advantages of BiodieselThe properties of biodiesel (viscosity, ignition properties)

are similar to those of fossil diesel.

Cetane number and lubricating effect of biodiesel are

significantly higher than fossil diesel.

The toxicity of biodiesel is lower compared to fossil diesel.

Biodiesel can be blended with petrodiesel at any ratio.

Special Advantages of Bioethanol1. Ethanol has a high octane number.

2. Ethanol contains 35% oxygen which reduces particulate and NOx

emissions from combustion when compared to the combustion of

petrol.

3. Combustion of ethanol results in low CO emissions.

4. Bioethanol can be blended with gasoline at any ratio.

5. Ethanol contains no sulfur, causing no emissions of sulfur oxides.

Biofuels Market

The Effect of Moderating Oil PricesAt oil prices over US$50 per barrel, biofuels are a

cost-effective option to displace conventional gasoline and diesel fuel for transport.

At world crude oil prices of US$80 to $US100 per barrel, biofuels from a wide variety of cellulosic feedstock, including crop residues and forest residues as well as crops that are not common today, would be cost-competitive.

Since biofuels can be produced from many different feedstock that are grown under very different conditions in many different places, there are considerable cost differentials and thus significant opportunities for biofuels trade

International Tendencies (Brazil)

International Tendencies (Africa)

Bioethanol Production Africa 2006: 606,000 liters = 1.2% global production (US + Brazil: 75% global production)