Lite Initiatives

Posts Tagged ‘Bioethanol’

In recent years there has been a lot of interest in renewable and alternative energy sources. This has seemingly become an even bigger issue in the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis, where the nuclear plant at Fukushima was damaged by the earthquake and resultant tsunami on March 11th. There is now a real danger that harmful radiation could escape from the site. People have always been uncertain of the safety of utilising nuclear power and such a scare only serves to heighten their concerns. That is why increasingly people are looking for alternatives. One such alternative is the use of biofuels.

What are Biofuels?

The term ‘biofuel’ refers to a broad range of fuels that are created from ‘biomass’ (see below). Biofuels are often used as an additive rather than as a ‘pure’ fuel. Bioethanol is an example of this. It is an alcohol created by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and whilst ethanol can be used as a fuel for cars in its purest form, it is normally added to petrol to improve the emissions from the vehicle and increase octane.

Ok, so what is Biomass?

Biomass is a renewable energy source. It refers specifically to biomaterials from living organisms and recently living organisms – examples of which are wood, waste and alcohol fuels. There are actually several different sources of biomass energy, so in addition to the three just mentioned, there are: garbage and landfill gases. There are a few different mechanisms by which biomass can be converted to energy:

Thermal Conversion

This involves the use of heat in order to convert biomass into an alternative chemical form. There are different forms of thermal conversion – two examples of which are torrefaction and pyrolysis.

Chemical Conversion

This is quite simply where a range of chemical processes are used in order to convert biomass to alternative forms.

Biochemical Conversion

This involves harnessing the power of naturally occurring biochemical conversion processes. Microorganisms are used to break down biomass – Anaerobic Digestion is an example of this.

Biogas

Biogas is a type of biofuel that is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials, including biomass. Biodegradable waste can, for example, be converted to methane – which is a renewable energy source.

So are Biofuels the answer?

It remains to be seen whether or not biofuels are a long term solution to the problems surrounding the energy industry. There are certainly discussions to be had about the impact that the production of biofuels has on carbon emissions and biodiversity, but these are certainly not the only issues.

Oil prices have always been a concern. Recent events, along with increased awareness of the environment, have shown us the need for the creation of alternative means of energy.

Many different options have been proposed. Nuclear power is possible but comes with obvious safety concerns. Solar and wind look like viable options, but don’t seem to be getting large amounts of support. Another option is biofuel, which involves using the energy of organic materials to replace the function of fossil fuels. Ethanol is perhaps the most widely used of these, especially in Brazil and the United States, and is used most commonly as a blend with regular fuel.

Another kind of biofuel is biodiesel, which is made from either vegetable oils or animal oils. It’s actually possible with today’s technology to take the fat that comes from the grills at McDonalds and recycle this into usable fuel! As with ethanol, it can be used purely on its own but is commonly just a supplement to be added with other fuel. It’s currently the most common biofuel in Europe. The process of turning animal and vegetable oils into usable fuel is known as transesterification.

1.8% of the world’s transport fuel was biofuel in 2008. This figure seems small, but investment in these technologies is continually increasing, and will inevitably create new technological breakthroughs and a rise in popularity. Biofuels come in many different forms, and are commonly categorized into first, second and third generation.

First generation fuels are made from food crops such as sugar, starch and animal or oil fats. Grains can be made into bioethanol, and sunflower seeds into vegetable oil and then biodiesel. These are the most common first generation biofuels: Biodiesel, bioalcohols, vegetable oil, bioethers, solid biofuels, Syngas and biogas.

From non-food crops like waste, stalks of wheat and corn we get the second generation of biofuels. Since first generation biofuels are made from edible sources, the hunt is on to create more second-generation technology that can avoid a food shortage that may occur. They include biohydrogen, biomethanol, mixed alcohols and wood diesel.

Third-generation biofuels are the most complex, and come usually from algae, which produces a large amount of energy. While the advantages of third generation fuels would be great, since it’s virtually impossible for them to cause environmental damage, the technology has so far not been sufficiently developed to allow these biofuels to be produced commercially. It’s been put forth that 15,000 square miles of algae could supply all the petroleum fuel required by the United States.

These new technological developments show just how exciting the field of biofuel is, and the great benefits it can provide to the environment. The current environmental problems and massive fuel prices could perhaps be fixed forever with the further development of second and third generation fuels. Who knows what will be powering us fifty years from now?

Incoming search terms:

• biodiesel (1)

Biofuels Market in China 2010

Biofuels has huge growth potential in China as domestic and foreign biofuel producers have either started their production facilities or are working on the feasibility plan of establishing a facility. Recently, domestic and foreign players have formed joint ventures to develop second generation biofuels. The government is taking initiatives by investing in the development of marginal land on which non food crops are grown for the production of biofuels. Development of second generation biofuels along with government’s support will drive the biofuels market in China. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=154292&rt=Biofuels-Market-in-China-2010.html )

The report begins with an introduction of biofuels market indicating different types of biofuels and its respective feedstocks. This is followed by an overview of the bioethanol and biodiesel market including its production capacity and different available feedstocks used for the same. It further talks about the development of second generation biofuels i.e. cellulosic ethanol.

An analysis of drivers explain factors contributing to the growth of biofuels market including depleting and dependency on oil reserves, rising automotive sector, degradation of environment, international partnerships and social impact. The key challenges identified include scarcity of land and water and food security. Government initiatives have been discussed indicating the subsidies given to develop the market.

Competition section provides brief profiles of major domestic and foreign players in the market. The section contains a snapshot of their corporation, financial performance and business highlights, providing an insight into the existing competitive scenario.

For more information kindly visit : http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=154292&rt=Biofuels-Market-in-China-2010.html

Related Reports

Global Biofuel Market Analysis
http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=102089&rt=Global-Biofuel-Market-Analysis.html

The Biofuels Market 2010-2020
http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=153397&rt=The-Biofuels-Market-2010-2020.html

Or

Contact us at :

Bharat Book Bureau
Tel: +91 22 27578668 
Fax: +91 22 27579131
Email: info@bharatbook.com
Website: www.bharatbook.com
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/3bbharatbook

This report is the most comprehensive treatment of the biofuels market available. Worldwide data is provided on biorefineries, conversion and separation technologies, manufacturing, research and development, organic biofuels, consumption, capacity, components and competition.

This report delves into the global efforts to develop technologies that improve the refining processes associated with many different types of biofuels and its growing consumption among nations throughout the next few decades.

Biofuel is expected to become a major renewable resource to produce fuel, electricity, heat, and other sources of power. To compete with other energy types will require development and implementation of an enhanced biorefinery process that minimizes its impact on local environments. Developing sustainable fractionation and separation technologies will be a key factor for the success of refining biomasses into renewable energy.

Biorefinery technology differs from traditional oil based refinery technology because it will be mainly water-based. Today’s biofuels involve either ethanol or diesel, with the former accounting for roughly 90 percent of the market. Brazil, the United States, and China are the greatest producers. More than half of the world’s bioethanol is generated from sugar cane; the rest comes mainly from corn. Biodiesel is mostly derived from rapeseed and sunflower.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Outlook for Biofuel Consumption
External Factors Affect Growth of Biofuels
Food Prices Fuel Biomass Debate
United States Remains Hotbed of Biomass Activity
Biofuel Technology Research
Global Market Values
Manufacturing, by Country, 2009 and 2014 (in $ millions)
Shipments of Organic Biomass Feedstocks
Imports of Organic Biomass
U.S. Shipments of Biomass Conversion Technology Components
U.S. Backs Biofuel Innovations
Federal Funding Fuels Innovation
Innovations in Biorefineries
Innovations in Biofuel Processing
Biofuel Energy Policy Fuels Debate
Biofuel’s Effect on Food Prices
Biofuels Lobbying Efforts
Global Policies toward Biofuels
Market Value Forecast Through 2014

Chapter 2: Introduction and Overview
Report Scope
Methodology
Terminology
Future Biomass Conversion Technologies
First- and Second-Generation Liquid Biofuels
Ethanol Production Processes
Biomass Feedstocks

Chapter 3: World Bioenergy Activities & Technologies
External Factors Affect Growth of Biofuels
Food Prices Fuel Biomass Debate
United States Remains Hotbed of Biomass Activity
Biofuel Technology Research
Reduction of Greenhouse Gases

Chapter 4: World Biomass Market Trends
Shipments of Organic Biomass Feedstocks
Manufacturing, 2004 and 2009 (in $ thousands)
Biodiesel Trade Market in Flux
Imports of Organic Biomass
U.S. Shipments of Biomass Conversion Technology Components
Imports of Technology Components
Biomass Conversion Technology Exports
Market Value Forecast Through 2014

Chapter 5: Manufacturer Profiles
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Bunge
CHS
Royal Dutch Shell
Foster Wheeler
Wilmar
Tenaska

Chapter 6: Innovations in Biofuel Technology
U.S. Backs Biofuel Innovations
Diversity of Cellulosic Feedstocks
Federal Funding Fuels Innovation
DOE Funds Advanced Biofuels Projects
Innovations in Biorefineries
Whole Crop Biorefineries
Ligno Cellulosic Feedstock Biorefineries (LCFBR)
Green Biorefineries
Two Platform Concept Biorefinery (TPCBR)
Marine Biorefinery (MBR)
Thermo Chemical Biorefinery (TCBR)
Innovations in Biofuel Processing
Advances in Ethanol Separation Technologies
Germ and Fiber Separation
Enzymatic Dry Milling
Dry Fractionation
Ammonia Process in the Wet Mill
Continuous Membrane Reactor for Starch Hydrolysis
Alkali Wet Milling
High-Gravity Fermentation
Improved Yeast
Conversion of Pentose Sugars to Ethanol
Enzymes for Liquefaction and Saccharification
Enzymes to Reduce Sulfur Dioxide
Distillation Technology
Control Systems
Environmental Technologies
Biodiesel Derived From Tallow

Chapter 7: Consumers of Biofuels
Biofuel Energy Policy Fuels Debate
Feedstock Implications
Legislation Favors E85 Production
Biofuel’s Effect on Food Prices
Studies Point to Ethanol’s Effect on Food Prices
Biofuels Lobbying Efforts
Global Policies Toward Biofuels
European Union Changes Biofuel Composition
Japan Continues Import Strategy
India Ethanol Blends Fluctuate
China Steps Up Corn Ethanol Production

As reserves of crude oil constantly decrease and new oil sources are increasingly difficult to exploit the development of alternatives becomes more and more interesting. In the long term, the only option is the use of energy from renewable resources. The most important of these are electricity from sun, water or wind and biofuel from regrowable plants. Biofuel is used as a substitute for conventional gasoline in combustion engines. There are two types of biofuel: bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is identical to the alcohol that is used in alcoholic beverages. It is mostly produced from sugar cane, but also other plants such as potato or maize can be used. In Brazil, ethanol is used as a major fuel for cars. Conventional gasoline is substituted with ethanol to 25% and many flexible-fuel vehicles even allow the use of pure ethanol as fuel. Recently, bioethanol has been implicated in being the causative agent of drastically increasing prices for food in developing countries. This has raised debate over whether one should make fuel rather than enable the poor to feed themselves. In contrast to bioethanol, which is derived from carbohydrates, biodiesel is produced from various vegetable oils. Therefore, other plants are employed for the production of biodiesel. In Europe, mostly rapeseed oil is used, although rape is not a very efficient source for oil. Some more efficient sources are e.g. oil palms and jatropha. Oil palms are cultivated in tropical countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. They give a much higher oil yield per acreage than e.g. rape. Unfortunately the growing demand for palm oil is leading to massive and irrevocable destruction of tropical rain forest. It is important to note that during the production of one liter of palm oil biofuel releases more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere than by burning the equivalent amount of conventional fuel. The jatropha plant seems to be an interesting alternative, since it grows in semi-deserts, but still produces nuts with very high oil content.