Analysis of Biofuel production / Analys av biobränsleproduktion

Abstract

The world is slowly transitioning from fossil fuel use into renewable fuel use, but the technology is still in low TRL(Technology Readiness Level) and has not yet reached its full potential in commercial areas. The objective of this thesis is to provide information regarding the production processes of advanced biofuels, analyze the transparency of available data and provide a standardized way of presenting, compiling and evaluating already existing data. The processes examined in this project are thermochemical processes such as methanol-, DME-, FT diesel- and ethanol via gasification in addition to the biochemical process of ethanol to jetfuel via fermentation and hydrocarbons via pyrolysis. Available literature for each process has been studied and reviewed to check for consistency of mass and energy balances, conversion rate of biomass to advanced biofuel and carbon balances. All of the information is then compiled in tables and presented in such a way that is easy to understand and compare. Any inconsistencies in the data have been noted so that the reader can accurately judge the usefulness of the process and the study. The aim is that this project will assist in making it easier to make decisions regarding technological constraints and investments into advanced biofuel production and increase the interest in the improvement and implementation of these processes.