03.08.2015   Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis

Biochemical Ethanol Production

Ethanol is the most extensively used biofuel in the transportation industry. Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline (petroleum) or used alone for operating spark-ignition engines, just as biodiesel can be mixed with petrodiesel for operating compression-ignition engines. In most cases engine modifications may not be needed for substitution of mineral oil with bio-oil-derived fuels. Ethanol is produced mainly from food crops, but, less commonly, it can also be produced from nonfood ligno-cellulosic biomass.

TABLE 9.4 Energy Losses Production

in Methanol

Conversion Process

Energy Loss (%)

Biomass to methanol

30-47

Coal to methanol

41-75

Source: Data compiled from Reed, 2002, p. MI-22 6.

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Distillation

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