Download - FUTURE BIOFUEL POTENTIAL AND SCOPE FOR … Report-March 2015 2 Future biofuel potential and scope for lipid based biodiesel - Sandip S. Magdum BIOFUEL Biofuel - bioethanol and biodiesel

Technical Report-March 2015

1 Future biofuel potential and scope for lipid based biodiesel - Sandip S. Magdum

FUTURE BIOFUEL POTENTIAL AND SCOPE FOR LIPID BASED BIODIESEL - Sandip S. Magdum

INTRODUCTION

The supply of sustainable energy is one of the

main challenges that mankind will face over

the coming decades, particularly because of

the need to address climate change. Biomass

can make a substantial contribution to

supplying future energy demand in a

sustainable way. It is presently the largest

global contributor of renewable energy, and

has significant potential to expand in the

production of heat, electricity, and fuels for

transport. The share of bioenergy in the world

primary energy mix has shown in figure1.

Further deployment of bioenergy, if carefully

managed, could provide: Figure 1. Share of bioenergy in the world primary energy mix. (IEA, 2006; and IPCC, 2007)

an even larger contribution to global primary energy supply;

significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and potentially other environmental benefits;

improvements in energy security and trade balances, by substituting imported fossil fuels with domestic biomass;

opportunities for economic and social development in rural communities; and

scope for using wastes and residues, reducing waste disposal problems, and making better use of resources.

ENERGY DEMAND AND

POTENTIAL:

Technical and sustainable

biomass supply potentials

and expected demand for

biomass (primary energy)

based on global energy

models and expected total

world primary energy

demand in 2050 (Figure 2).

Current world biomass use

and primary energy demand

are shown for comparative

purposes. Adapted from

Dornburg et al. (2008) based

on several review studies.

Figure 2. Expected total world primary energy demand in 2050



BIOFUEL

Biofuel - bioethanol and biodiesel derived from plants, seem to be an elegant solution to this dilemma because they

decrease dependency on fossil fuels and only return recently sequestered carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Nevertheless, the growing demand for biofuel to be produced from crops previously used for food has raised

concerns about the long-term economic, environmental and social viability of alternative fuels. The current standards

of technology and agricultural output are not sufficient to replace fossil fuels entirely. This challenge can ultimately

only be met by new scientific and technological solutions that allow an increase in the production of biofuels without

having a negative impact on the environment or food supply. Theoretically, biofuels could be produced from any

organic material, but most current biofuels are so-called first-generation fuels based on food crops.

However, Second-generation biofuels are derived from cellulose by enzymatic conversion and fermentation. These

processes expand the possible sources of fuel to non-edible plants and plant parts, including grass, wood and

agricultural residues, such as corn stover or sugar cane bagasse. As most methods of producing second- and third-

generation fuels are still unavailable, countries that use biofuels generally rely on various first-generation fuels

depending on the domestic climate and agricultural resources. The economics of first-generation biofuels is very

much location-specific.

WORLD’S BIOFUEL DEVELOPMENT

AND PRODUCTION STATUS: For economic

development, there is a preference for countries

to utilize crops that can be grown domestically

and import when their own production cannot

meet the demand. Most of the five billion

gallons of ethanol used in the USA come from

domestically grown maize rather than the sugar-

cane-derived ethanol from Brazil's comparable

five billion gallon production although sugar

cane yields approximately three times more

energy than maize: 157.5 GJ/hectare compared

with 52.5 GJ/hectare, respectively (Figure 3).

Europe, which produces approximately 8% of

global biodiesel, largely capitalizes on its

domestically grown rapeseed, whereas China,

India, Egypt, Tanzania and Kenya are expanding

their production of jatropha to produce fuel. Figure 3. World’s biofuel production status

The development status of the main technologies to produce biofuels for transport from biomass is shown in figure 4

Figure 4. Biofuel development status. (Source: E4tech, 2009)



INDIA’S POLICY FOR BIOENERGY

DEPLOYMENT: The external costs and benefits

of energy production options are not sufficiently

reflected in energy prices, an important reason why

most bioenergy solutions are not (yet) economically

competitive with conventional fossil fuel options.

Policy support is therefore essential for almost all

bioenergy pathways. The key motivations for

bioenergy policy as stated in country summaries and

key policy documents shown in table 1.

Table 1. Key motivations for bioenergy policy in India. (Source: GBEP 2007)

BIOMASS CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES: There are many bioenergy routes which can be used to convert

raw biomass feedstock into a final energy product. Several conversion technologies (Figure 5) have been developed

that are adapted to the

different physical nature and

chemical composition of the

feedstock, and to the energy

service required (heat, power,

transport fuel). Upgrading

technologies for biomass

feedstocks (e.g. pelletisation,

torrefaction, and pyrolysis)

are being developed to

convert bulky raw biomass

into denser and more

practical energy carriers for

more efficient transport,

storage and convenient use in

subsequent conversion

processes. Figure 5. Schematic view of the wide variety of bioenergy routes. (Source: E4tech, 2009)

BIODIESEL:

Biodiesel is the most valuable form of renewable energy that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel

engine and can be produced from oilseed plants such as rape seeds, sunflower, canola and or Jatropha and microbial

lipids. Biodiesel is environmental friendly and ideal for heavily polluted cities. Biodiesel is as biodegradable as salt

and produces 80% less carbon dioxide and 100% less sulfur dioxide emissions. It can be used alone or mixed in any

ratio with petroleum diesel fuel and it also extends the life of diesel engines. As a by-product the oil cake and

glycerol are to be sold to reduce the cost of processing biodiesel to par with the oil price.

EU BIODIESEL PRODUCTION IS IN DECLINE: The year 2008 was the best year for biodiesel production in

European Union (EU) with the production growth rate increasing by more than 35 percent than previous year 2007.

In 2009 EU’s biodiesel production grew by 17 percent compared to previous year. Why is biodiesel production

experiencing such a slowdown in EU? The food vs. fuel debate is certainly one of the main reasons for decrease in

production. European Union imports of biodiesel are constantly rising. In 2010 EU imported more than 1.9 million

tons of biodiesel.

BIODIESEL SCENARIO IN INDIA: As India is deficient in edible oils, non-edible oil is the main choice for

producing biodiesel. According to Indian government policy and Indian technology effects, some development works

have been carried out with regards to the production of transesterfied non edible oil and its use in biodiesel by units

such as Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Tamilnadu Agriculture University Coimbatore and Kumaraguru

College of Technology. Indian Oil Corporation has taken up Research and development work to establish the

parameters of the production of tranesterified Jatropha Vegetable oil and use of bio diesel in its R&D center at

Faridabad. The railway and Indian oil corporation has successfully used 10% blended biodiesel fuel in train running

between Amritsar and New Delhi.



CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE LIPID BASED BIOFUEL: Thus regular practice of oilseed based biodiesel

production through the plantation, oil extraction and production of biodiesel are not economically feasible yet.

Involved food - fuel conflict, seasonality and fear for diversion from regular agriculture practice makes this biofuel

route hard to follow. Biodiesel plays major role in EU plans to reduce the level of carbon emissions emitted by

transport but there are many scientists who are worried that the bigger biodiesel production would cause massive

deforestation and higher food prices. Producing lipid based biodiesel from biomass has the potential to significantly

contribute to the development of second-generation biofuels. There are two different feed-stock sources that can meet

the criterion on a sustainable basis and in substantial quantities. First is lignocellulosic biomass such as surplus crop

residues that are currently underutilized, including rice and wheat straw, corn stover, and grass straw. This biomass

source has also been recently and specifically noted as ethically responsible feedstock sources for biofuels in Science

magazine. According to the scenario illustrated in figure 6 lipid based biofuel is produced from variable sources that

are available in a given region. Wherever crop residues or even animal wastes are available, lipid can be produced

heterotrophically by oleaginous fungi, yeast, bacteria and algae. Some oleaginous organisms have a superior

capability utilizing the sugars produced from lignocellulosic materials.

Sunlight

Sunlight

Biomass

Pretreatment

Human Use

Gasification

Sugar

Solid and Liquid Organic Waste

Intermediate

Algae

Fungi

Yeast

Bacteria

Biodiesel

Lipids

Liquid Fuel

Biofuel

Aviation fuel

Other Products

Mycodiesel

Figure 6. Sustainable lipid based biodiesel scenario.

Lipid based biodiesel has several inherent advantages that make it a unique candidate to serve as the intermediate

feedstock. First, lipid has a similar molecule structure to alkane, and has properties like those common to fossil fuels.

Second, lipid based biodiesel has a higher energy density compared with other biofuels such as ethanol or butanol.

Third, lipid base biodiesel contains various chain lengths and bond types can function well in a mixture as a fuel, the

compositional flexibility making it possible for aggregating the lipids produced from different organisms in the

refinery. Microbial fermentation rout of biodiesel production mandates pretreatment of biomass to produce sugar

substrates. Human and animal consumption of biomass produces solid and liquid waste, which can be used as

substrate to produce biodiesel. The biomass gasification route can also utilize for production of syngas which can be

converted in to lipid based liquid fuel.

The study of fungal wastewater to produce lipid based mycodiesel has estimated the potential of wastewater to bio-oil

synthesis for biodiesel production via fungal (M. circinelloides) route, the 100 m3/day capacity plant having

wastewater with similar characteristics can produce 14.22 kg of bio-oil per day and 200 MLD plant can produce

28.44 tons of bio-oil per day (Bhanja et al., 2014). Considering the above mentioned 98% saponifiable lipids content

with 0.87 ton/m3 density of biodiesel, the theoretical biodiesel production will be 4.23 gal/day and 8436.87 gal/day

with potential worth of 12.57 $/day and 25137.7 $/day for 100 m3/day and 200 MLD plant, respectively (calculation

is based on reported B100 price of 2.97 $/gal).



COST AND PRICES:

a) Historical alternative fuel prices from previous reports: The figure 7 illustrate the historical prices for the

alternative fuels included in these reports (specifically natural gas, propane, ethanol (E85), and biodiesel) relative to

gasoline and diesel. These graphs include prices collected as part of the current Price Report activity, which began in

September 2005. Natural gas (in GGE), propane, and ethanol (E85) have been graphed against gasoline prices, while

natural gas (in DGE) and biodiesel have been graphed against diesel prices.

Figure 7. Historical prices for the alternative fuels

b) Average Price comparisons

of conventional fuel and

alternative fuel: Overall

nationwide average prices for

conventional and alternative

fuels are shown in Graph. As

this illustrates, alternative fuel

prices relative to conventional

fuels vary, with some

(biodiesel) higher fuel.

Biodiesel prices are higher

than regular diesel.

Figure 8. Average Price comparisons of conventional fuel and alternative fuel

c) Illustration of Energy content

for fuel: The standard lower

heating values for fuels are

shown in figure 9.

(Transportation Energy Data

Book 26)

Figure 9. Illustration of Energy content for fuel



d) Energy Generation BTU/$: Energy Generation by Gasoline,

Ethanol, Diesel and Biodiesel

per $ spent on them has been

shown in figure 10. In the

graph, petroleum prices are

going to be increase, so

Gasoline and Diesel

BTU/$ value decreased in

future. In case of Ethanol

production, there is hope to

reduce its production cost, but

in comparison, Biodiesel

having 35% high heat energy

value than Ethanol. In future

there is much scope and

potential to reduce biodiesel

value, so it’s BTU/$ value will

increase mostly than others. Figure 10. Energy generation comparisons of conventional fuel and alternative fuel

e) Current diesel and biodiesel

price comparison: In figure 11,

comparisons of diesel, oil seed

biodiesel, algal biodiesel,

current ligno-cellulosic lipid

based mycodiesel and aim to

produce lipid based biodiesel

fuel prices can be analyzed.

The lipid based biodiesel would

be produced at price 2.5

$/gallon.

Figure 11. Price comparisons of diesel and forms of biodiesels with lipid based biodiesel.

f) Biodiesel Energy Generation

BTU/$: The figure 12 shows,

targeted and estimated value of

lipid based biodiesel production

will reduce up to 2.5$/gallon and

this achievement will give

higher bio-energy extraction and

per $ yield. These data include

prices collected as part of the

Price Report activity, 2011.

Figure 12. Energy generation comparisons of conventional fuel and alternative fuel



SWOT analysis of Indian Biofuel Market:

STRENGTH

Fast growing economy with investment capacity for large-scale projects

Large agricultural sector that produces significant amounts of residues

Good infrastructure in regions with high residue potential

State initiatives for first-generation and second-generation biofuel promotion, plus public and

private funding for second-generation biofuel RD&D

WEAKNESS

Biofuel-specific infrastructure (fuel stations, flex fuel vehicles, etc.) is currently non-existent

No experience with second-generation biofuels

No additional cropland available for bioenergy crops

OPPORTUNITY

Smallholders could benefit through co-operatives that organize provision of residues

Laws to encourage direct foreign investment that could be favorable for the development of

second-generation production

Improvement in rural income and employment generation

Private investment in biofuel sector

THREAT

Subsidies needed in the short term to promote second-generation biofuels

Fossil fuel is subsidized by the state and is thus more competitive than biofuel

Bureaucratic hurdles still exist for new projects despite government support initiatives

CONCLUSION: Biodiesel is the fastest growing biofuel but from a lower base than ethanol. As Biodiesel production depends on oil

based feedstock and land availability even more than bioethanol production. Current cost of production is major issue

with considering; current production would cause massive deforestation and higher food prices. Our advanced

conceptual processes can hold the potential to increase Biodiesel production, as it can use any second generation

feedstock with high energy extraction. The current focus need to be on application of developed technology to utilize

cheap biomass and biowaste as feedstock to produce cost effective biodiesel, thus competing economically with

petroleum resources. Wide use of biodiesel in India is going to be a reality in the days to come.

REFERENCES:

Bhanja, A., Minde, G., Magdum, S., & Kalyanraman, V. (2014). Comparative Studies of Oleaginous Fungal

Strains (Mucor circinelloides and Trichoderma reesei) for Effective Wastewater Treatment and Bio-Oil

Production. Biotechnology research international, 2014.

Dornburg, V., Faaij, A., Langeveld, H., van de Ven, G., Wester, F., van Keulen, H., van Diepen, K., Ros, J.,

van Vuuren, D., van den Born, G.J., van Oorschot, M., Smout, F., Aiking, H., Londo, M., Mozaffarian, H.,

Smekens, K., Meeusen, M., Banse, M., Lysen E., and van Egmond, S. 2008. Biomass Assessment:

Assessment of global biomass potentials and their links to food, water, biodiversity, energy demand and

economy. Report 500102 012, January 2008.

E4tech. 2009. Internal Analysis, www.e4tech.com

IEA. 2006. International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 2006. Paris.

IPCC. 2007. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Mitigation of Climate Change. Working group III,

Chapter 4 of the 4th Assessment Report.

The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), 2007.

http://www.e4tech.com/