Biofuels

Developed by Beth Morgan

Dept. of Plant Biology
 Types of Biofuel: Ethanol
Ethanol can be produced using:

Corn stover Sugar cane bagasse

Miscanthus

Hybrid poplar

Switchgrass
Biggest Suppliers
Increase in Production
Making Ethanol From Seed
1. Grow and collect grain.

2. Grind kernels into meal.

3. Heat and enzymes convert starch to sugar.

4. Anaerobic respiration by yeast.

5. Alcohol (ethanol is distilled out of mixture.

Ethanol
Energy Yield
Making Ethanol From Cellulosics:
Cell Wall Breakdown
Making Ethanol From Cellulosics
1. Collection, storage & transportation to refinery.

2. Dirt & debris removed from material and then

shredded into small particles.
3. Heat, pressure or acid treatment. Enzymes in
solution are used to breakdown cellulose,
hemicellulose to sugars. Lignin is removed.
4. Syrup of sugars is filtered from solids.
5. Anaerobic fermentation by bacteria to produce
alcohol (and carbon dioxide).
6. Further enzymatic breakdown of cellulose and lignin.
7. Anaerobic fermentation by bacteria to produce
alcohol (and carbon dioxide).
8. Alcohol is distilled.
9. More water removed.
10. Stored for distribution and use.
Types of Biofuel: Biodiesel
Bio-diesel can be produced using:

Algae

Jatropha tree

Palm oil

Camelina
Making Biodiesel
Waste Lye
Vegetable
Oil
Methoxide Methanol
Me
th
ox
ide

Biodiesel Biodiesel
WVO Glycerin

Washed Biodiesel Washed Biodiesel

Biodiesel
Water
Water
BioFuel from Vegetable Oil
Pros: Energy Yield
Pros: Energy Yield

For every unit of fossil energy used in the entire biodiesel production cycle,
3.2 units of energy are gained when the fuel is burned, or a
positive energy balance of 320 percent.
Pros: Energy Yield

Fuel Energy yield Net (loss) or gain

Gasoline 0.805 (19.5%)
Diesel 0.843 (15.7%)
Ethanol 1.34 34%
Biodiesel 3.2 320%

(gain is from photosynthesis)

Pros: Reduced Emissions

Emissions of major air pollutants from diesel engines

Cons: Loss of Land for Food
Production
Loss of Rainforests
Water Use Increases
Soil Fertility

Poplar trees

Switchgrass harvest in the Netherlands

Soybean harvest
Price of Corn
Food vs. Fuel?