Environmental, Economic, and Scalability Considerations and Trends of Selected Fuel Economy-Enhancing Biomass-Derived Blendstocks

Abstract

Twenty-four biomass-derived compounds and mixtures, identified based on their physical properties, which could be blended into fuels to improve spark ignition engine fuel economy, were assessed for their economic, technology readiness, and environmental viability. These bio-blendstocks were modeled to be produced biochemically, thermochemically, or through hybrid processes. To carry out the assessment, 17 metrics were developed for which each bio-blendstock was determined to be favorable, neutral, or unfavorable. Cellulosic ethanol was included as a reference case. Overall economic and, to some extent, environmental viability is driven by projected yields for each of these processes. The metrics used in this analysis methodology highlight the near-term potential to achieve these targeted yield estimates when considering data quality and current technical readiness for these conversion strategies. Key knowledge gaps included the degree of purity needed for use as a bio-blendstock. Less stringent purification requirements for fuels could cut processing costs and environmental impacts. Additionally, more information is needed on the blending behavior of many of these bio-blendstocks with gasoline to support the technology readiness evaluation. Overall, the technology to produce many of these blendstocks from biomass is emerging, and as it matures, these assessments must be revisited. Importantly, considering economic, environmental, and technology readiness factors, in addition to physical properties of blendstocks that could be used to boost engine efficiency and fuel economy, in the early stages of project research and development can help spotlight those most likely to be viable in the near term.

Genomics-enabled analysis of specialized metabolism in bioenergy crops: Current progress and challenges

“…Meeting the needs of a growing world population while addressing urgent sustainability challenges has spurred intensive efforts in renewable energy production including biofuels ( 1 , 2 ). In 2018, global biofuel production from plant-derived biomass reached an all-time high of over ∼150 billion liters, and the International Energy Agency projects production to increase by 25% over the next 5 years ( 3 ).…”

“…In addition, cultivation of second-generation non-food model crops for biofuel production, including switchgrass, energy cane, poplar and Miscanthus , is becoming tractable to contribute to the needed production increase ( 5–10 ). But this development must address several key challenges of economic feasibility, balanced arable land use and a long-term sustainable environmental footprint ( 2 ). In the face of shifting environmental pressures that hamper plant fitness and cause agricultural yield losses ( 11 ), an important factor in advancing biofuel crop production is a deeper understanding of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms by which crops adapt to environmental perturbations.…”

Economic feasibility and long-term sustainability criteria on the path to enable a transition from fossil fuels to biofuels

“…The challenge for biofuels is to become both economically feasible and sustainable in the long-term ( Figure 1). The fulfilment of both criteria is currently limited by several factors and we refer the reader to more comprehensive work on the topic for greater detail [30]. Briefly, the major biological constraint in biofuel production is the dependence on an inefficient biomass production phase [31].…”

A review of thermochemical upgrading of pyrolysis bio‐oil: Techno‐economic analysis, life cycle assessment, and technology readiness

“…Prior research has reviewed technological advances in pyrolysis bio‐oil upgrading (Ab Rasid & Asadullah, ; Bridgwater, ; Damartzis & Zabaniotou, ; Elangovan et al, ; Shonnard et al, ; Shonnard, Williams, & Kalnes, ). Select literature has reviewed the environmental and economic performance of multiple products derived from thermochemical conversion (Patel et al, ) and the technology readiness level (TRL), a measure of the maturity of new technology (Mankins, ), of potentially scalable biofuels and bioproducts derived from both thermochemical and biochemical conversion (Dunn et al, ). Knowledge of the latter, TRL, is required to judge the maturity of the development and the modeling approaches taken (computational, experimental or pilot data, ex post or ex ante) to assess environmental and economic performance.…”