2.2
Biomass Types for Biofuel Production
Biomass is the general name used for all organic materials derived from plants such
as grasses, aquatic plants, woody plants, and manure (McKendry 2002). When
subjected to pyrolysis, biomass converts into a dark-colored liquid called bio-oil, a
biofuel precursor. Biofuels such as biodiesel can be obtained from rapeseed (Brassica napus), canola (Brassica sp.), soybean (Glycine max), sunflower (Helianthus
annuus), palm (Elaeis sp.), used cooking oils, and other oil sources. Looking at other
sources, beef and sheep tallow also act as viable fat sources (Lü et al. 2011). Among
these materials, soybean, rapeseed, and palm oils are commonly employed in
biodiesel generation. However, soybean oil is valuable to the food industry, making
it a costly alternative. Beef tallow, yellow grease, and pork lard are an abundant
restaurant waste, providing viable biomass to biodiesel production (Demirbas 2011).
On the other hand, bioethanol can be obtained from carbohydrates found in
lignocellulosic biomass such as sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), algae, cotton
(Gossypium sp.), wheat straw (Triticum sp.), corn (Zea mays), and others (Demirbas
2009). First-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation fuels can be obtained from
various types of biomass (Table 2.1). Biofuels pertaining to the first generation
come from edible agricultural products such as sugarcane, corn, and sugar beet,
using these materials specifically for fuel production. Second-generation fuels come
from many sources of cellulose, such as sugarcane bagasse and corn straw, using
what remains from already used biomasses. Third-generation fuels come from
processing algae into biofuels, while the fourth generation comes from
bioengineered algae designed to produce biofuels and other vegetable oils (Lü
et al. 2011).
Table 2.1 Biomasses used to produce different generations of biofuels
Biofuel types
1st generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Vegetable oil, sucrose, and starch
Bioethanol, biogas, biokerosene, and biodiesel
2nd generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Solid waste, wood, sugarcane bagasse and
straw, corn and wheat straw
Bioethanol, bio-oil, biohydrogen, biobutanol,
biokerosene, and biodiesel
3rd generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Algae
Biodiesel, vegetable oil
4th generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Metabolic engineered biomass and vegetable
oil
Biogasoline and biobutanol
2 Biofuels Generation Based on Technical Process and Biomass Quality
39
Biomass Types for Biofuel Production
Biomass is the general name used for all organic materials derived from plants such
as grasses, aquatic plants, woody plants, and manure (McKendry 2002). When
subjected to pyrolysis, biomass converts into a dark-colored liquid called bio-oil, a
biofuel precursor. Biofuels such as biodiesel can be obtained from rapeseed (Brassica napus), canola (Brassica sp.), soybean (Glycine max), sunflower (Helianthus
annuus), palm (Elaeis sp.), used cooking oils, and other oil sources. Looking at other
sources, beef and sheep tallow also act as viable fat sources (Lü et al. 2011). Among
these materials, soybean, rapeseed, and palm oils are commonly employed in
biodiesel generation. However, soybean oil is valuable to the food industry, making
it a costly alternative. Beef tallow, yellow grease, and pork lard are an abundant
restaurant waste, providing viable biomass to biodiesel production (Demirbas 2011).
On the other hand, bioethanol can be obtained from carbohydrates found in
lignocellulosic biomass such as sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), algae, cotton
(Gossypium sp.), wheat straw (Triticum sp.), corn (Zea mays), and others (Demirbas
2009). First-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation fuels can be obtained from
various types of biomass (Table 2.1). Biofuels pertaining to the first generation
come from edible agricultural products such as sugarcane, corn, and sugar beet,
using these materials specifically for fuel production. Second-generation fuels come
from many sources of cellulose, such as sugarcane bagasse and corn straw, using
what remains from already used biomasses. Third-generation fuels come from
processing algae into biofuels, while the fourth generation comes from
bioengineered algae designed to produce biofuels and other vegetable oils (Lü
et al. 2011).
Table 2.1 Biomasses used to produce different generations of biofuels
Biofuel types
1st generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Vegetable oil, sucrose, and starch
Bioethanol, biogas, biokerosene, and biodiesel
2nd generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Solid waste, wood, sugarcane bagasse and
straw, corn and wheat straw
Bioethanol, bio-oil, biohydrogen, biobutanol,
biokerosene, and biodiesel
3rd generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Algae
Biodiesel, vegetable oil
4th generation
Biomass
Biofuel
Metabolic engineered biomass and vegetable
oil
Biogasoline and biobutanol
2 Biofuels Generation Based on Technical Process and Biomass Quality
39