Future Fuels
395
• Environmental impact of the new fuel
• Compatibility with in-use vehicles and fuel distribution infrastructure
• Other uses of the particular biomass source
First generation biofuels have good fuel properties and their production processes are commercially well developed and successfully implemented in automotive vehicles in many countries. However, the source of
first-generation biofuel is to be considered for its success in the scenario.
First-generation biofuel technologies are hindered by the fact of limited
available land and risk of competition with food crops. The feedstock for
first-generation biofuels are vegetable oils (sunflower, soybean, palm, and
jatropha), corn, wheat, and sugar cane. If we go on increasing the percentage
share of biofuel in petroleum products, it is necessary to increase the cultivation of biomass crops. But, most of the vegetable oils (except jatropha) are
used for food purposes. Moreover, sugar is a most desirable food product
and not intended for fuel purposes. Hence, after a few years it will be shown
that we cannot produce enough biofuels without threatening food supplies
and biodiversity.
The development of a new fuel will be commercially successful if the price
of fuel is low. The overall production cost could be reduced if the by-products
in the process also have some commercial value. The first-generation biofuels have a medium energy content and greenhouse effect except sugarcane ethanol. The first-generation biofuels are not very highly successful
except for ethanol in Brazil. First generation biofuels are not cost competitive with existing fossil fuels. Moreover, considering emissions from production and transport of first-generation biofuels, life-cycle emissions from
first-generation biofuels frequently exceed those of traditional fossil fuels.
For the past few years, research and development efforts have sought to
alleviate these limitations by exploring new pathways to convert little-used
plant feedstocks to biofuels with better efficiencies. Second-generation biofuels can help solve these problems and can supply a larger proportion of our
fuel supply sustainably, affordably, and with greater environmental benefits
(www.wikipedia.com).
13.3 Second Generation Biofuels
Second generation biofuels are made from nonedible and lignocellulosic
materials. For the production of second-generation biofuels, some specific types of plants are grown and converted into fuel. These are sustainable energies and have environmental benefits. Second-generation biofuels
395
• Environmental impact of the new fuel
• Compatibility with in-use vehicles and fuel distribution infrastructure
• Other uses of the particular biomass source
First generation biofuels have good fuel properties and their production processes are commercially well developed and successfully implemented in automotive vehicles in many countries. However, the source of
first-generation biofuel is to be considered for its success in the scenario.
First-generation biofuel technologies are hindered by the fact of limited
available land and risk of competition with food crops. The feedstock for
first-generation biofuels are vegetable oils (sunflower, soybean, palm, and
jatropha), corn, wheat, and sugar cane. If we go on increasing the percentage
share of biofuel in petroleum products, it is necessary to increase the cultivation of biomass crops. But, most of the vegetable oils (except jatropha) are
used for food purposes. Moreover, sugar is a most desirable food product
and not intended for fuel purposes. Hence, after a few years it will be shown
that we cannot produce enough biofuels without threatening food supplies
and biodiversity.
The development of a new fuel will be commercially successful if the price
of fuel is low. The overall production cost could be reduced if the by-products
in the process also have some commercial value. The first-generation biofuels have a medium energy content and greenhouse effect except sugarcane ethanol. The first-generation biofuels are not very highly successful
except for ethanol in Brazil. First generation biofuels are not cost competitive with existing fossil fuels. Moreover, considering emissions from production and transport of first-generation biofuels, life-cycle emissions from
first-generation biofuels frequently exceed those of traditional fossil fuels.
For the past few years, research and development efforts have sought to
alleviate these limitations by exploring new pathways to convert little-used
plant feedstocks to biofuels with better efficiencies. Second-generation biofuels can help solve these problems and can supply a larger proportion of our
fuel supply sustainably, affordably, and with greater environmental benefits
(www.wikipedia.com).
13.3 Second Generation Biofuels
Second generation biofuels are made from nonedible and lignocellulosic
materials. For the production of second-generation biofuels, some specific types of plants are grown and converted into fuel. These are sustainable energies and have environmental benefits. Second-generation biofuels