Emerging Fuels (MEHDI)

8/4/2019 Emerging Fuels (MEHDI).

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ALTERNATIVE AND ADVANCED OR

EMERGING LIQUID & GAS FUELS:-

Several emerging alternative fuels are under development or already developed and may be

available in the United States. These fuels may increase energy security, reduce emissions, improvevehicle performance, and stimulate the U.S. economy.

Some of these emerging fuels are considered alternative fuels under theEnergy Policy Act of 1992andmay qualify forfederal and state incentives and laws:

Biobutanol Biogas Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel Methanol P-Series Fuels xTL Fuels (Fischer-Tropsch)

Additional fuels used in limited quantities may meet the criteria for alternative fuels, including but notlimited to ammonia, diethylene glycol dimethlyl ether (diglyme), and dimethyl ether (DME). More

research is needed to characterize the impacts of these fuels, such as necessary vehicle modifications,required fueling infrastructure, human health impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and tailpipe emissions

DETAILS OF ABOVE FUELS

1- BIOBUTANOL:-Likeethanol, biobutanol is an alcohol that can be produced through processing of domestically grown

crops, such as corn and sugar beets, and other biomass, such as fast-growing grasses and agriculturalwaste products.

What is biobutanol?Butanol is a 4-carbon alcohol (butyl alcohol). Biobutanol is butanol produced from biomass feedstocks.Currently, butanol's primary use is as an industrial solvent in products such as lacquers and enamels.

Biobutanol as an Alternative Fuel

A ButylFuel vehicle was driven across the United States on 100% biobutanol (Source:ButylFuel, LLC)
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/methanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/methanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_pseries.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_pseries.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_xtl_fuels.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_xtl_fuels.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_xtl_fuels.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_pseries.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/methanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92


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Likeethanol, biobutanol is a liquid alcohol fuel that can be used in today's gasoline-powered internal

combustion engines. The properties of biobutanol make it highly amenable to blending with gasoline. It is

also compatible with ethanol blending and can improve the blending of ethanol with gasoline. The energycontent of biobutanol is 10 to 20 percent lower than that of gasoline.

Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, biobutanol can be blended as anoxygenate with gasoline in concentrations up to 11.5 percent by volume (i.e., the EPA considers blends of

11.5% or less biobutanol with gasoline to be "substantially similar" to pure gasoline). Blends of 85 percent

or more biobutanol with gasoline are required to qualify as anEPAct alternative fuel. Biobutanolproponentsclaim that today's vehicles can be fueled with high concentrations of biobutanolup to100%with minor or no vehicle modifications, although testing of this claim has been limited.

Biobutanol ProductionThe ability to produce butanol from biomass sources via fermentation has existed since the early 1900s.

However, these older biobutanol processes are more expensive than today's petrochemical productionprocesses. Today, butanol is produced almost entirely from petroleum.

Renewed interest in butanol as a sustainable vehicle fuel has led to the development of improvedbiobutanol production processes.ButylFuel, LLCused a U.S. Department of Energy Small Business

Technology Transfer grant to develop a process aimed at making biobutanol production economicallycompetitive with petrochemical production processes.. ButylFuel is planning to market its biobutanol as asolvent first, and then market it as a fuel in the future.

DuPont and BP are makingBiobutanol the first product of their joint effort to develop, produce, andmarket next-generation biofuels.

Biobutanol DistributionNo infrastructure for fueling vehicles with biobutanol currently exists. However, because biobutanoldoes not cause the same issues with corrosion or water contamination asethanoldoes, it is likely that

biobutanol would be able to be distributed through the existing gasoline infrastructure, including pipelinetransport.

Biobutanol BenefitsThe benefits of biobutanol are similar to thebenefits of ethanol. It can beproduceddomestically from avariety of homegrown feedstocks while creating U.S. jobs. Greenhouse gas emissions are reducedbecause carbon dioxide captured when the feedstock crops are grown balances carbon dioxide released

when biobutanol is burned. The following are additional potential benefits of biobutanol:

It is easily blended with gasoline for use in today's gasoline-powered vehicles. Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyregulations, biobutanol can be blended as an oxygenate with

gasoline in concentrations up to 11.5 percent by volume. Biobutanolproponents claim that gasoline-powered vehicles can be fueled with

biobutanol as an alternative fuel (blends of 85 percent or more

biobutanol with gasoline) with minor or no vehicle modifications,although testing of this claim has been limited.

Its energy density is only 10 to 20% lower than gasoline's.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/alt_fuels_authorization.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/alt_fuels_authorization.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/alt_fuels_authorization.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www.butanol.com/http://www.butanol.com/http://www.butanol.com/http://www2.dupont.com/Production_Agriculture/en_US/assets/downloads/pdfs/BP_DuPont_Fact_Sheet_Biobutanol.pdfhttp://www2.dupont.com/Production_Agriculture/en_US/assets/downloads/pdfs/BP_DuPont_Fact_Sheet_Biobutanol.pdfhttp://www2.dupont.com/Production_Agriculture/en_US/assets/downloads/pdfs/BP_DuPont_Fact_Sheet_Biobutanol.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol_production.htmlhttp://www2.dupont.com/Production_Agriculture/en_US/assets/downloads/pdfs/BP_DuPont_Fact_Sheet_Biobutanol.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/distribution.htmlhttp://www2.dupont.com/Production_Agriculture/en_US/assets/downloads/pdfs/BP_DuPont_Fact_Sheet_Biobutanol.pdfhttp://www.butanol.com/http://www.butanol.com/index.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/alt_fuels_authorization.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.html


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It is compatible with the current gasoline distributioninfrastructure and would not require new or modified pipelines,

blending facilities, storage tanks, or retail station pumps.

It is compatible with ethanol blending and can improve the blendingof ethanol with gasoline.

It can be produced using existing ethanol production facilities withrelatively minor modifications.

Biobutanol Research and Development In addition to the BP/DuPont and ButylFuel efforts mentioned underBiobutanol Production,

biobutanol research and development by other government and industry groups is ongoing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service is studying biobutanolproduction as part of its projectCost-Effective Bioprocess Technologies for Production ofBiofuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass.

TheU.S. Department of Energy(DOE) andU.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) arefunding biobutanol research and development as part of their Small Business InnovationResearch programs.

2- BIOGAS:-Biogas is produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter such as animal manure, sewage, andmunicipal solid waste. After it is processed to required standards of purity, biogas becomes a renewablesubstitute fornatural gasand can be used to fuelnatural gas vehicles.

What is biogas?Biogas is the gaseous product of the anaerobic digestion (decomposition without oxygen) of organic

matter. It is typically made up of 50-80% methane, 20-50% carbon dioxide, and traces of gases such ashydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen. In contrast,natural gasis typically made up of more than 70%

methane, with most of the rest being other hydrocarbons (such as propane and butane) and only small

amounts of carbon dioxide and other contaminants. Biogas is sometimes called swamp gas, landfill gas, ordigester gas. When its composition is upgraded to a higher standard of purity, it can be called renewablenatural gas.

Biogas is used for many different applications worldwide. In rural communities, small-scale digesters

provide biogas for single-household cooking and lighting. China alone is estimated to have 817 million of

these systems. Large-scale digesters provide biogas for electricity production, heat and steam, chemicalproduction, and vehicle fuel. In 2003, the United States consumed 147 trillion btu of energy fromlandfillgas, about 0.6% of total U.S. natural gas consumption.

Biogas as an Alternative FuelOnce upgraded to the required level of purity (and compressed or liquefied), biogas can be used as analternative vehicle fuel in the same forms as conventionally derived natural gas:compressed natural gas(CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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A 2007 report estimated that 12,000 vehicles are being fueled with upgraded biogas worldwide, with

70,000 biogas-fueled vehicles predicted by 2010. Europe has most of these vehicles. Sweden alone

reports that more than half of the gas used in its 11,500natural gas vehiclesis biogas. Germany andAustria have established targets of 20% biogas in natural gas vehicle fuel.

In the United States, biogas vehicle activities have been on a smaller scale. Examples include alandfill inWhittier, California, that fuels vehicles with CNG derived from the landfill and anOrange County,

California, landfillthat produces LNG for use in transit buses. Several DOE-sponsored projects also havedeveloped biogas vehicle technologies

PRODUCTION:-

Biogas ProductionBiogas is produced from the anaerobic digestion of diverse organic waste sources using various methods.

The International Energy Agency describes the following in its publicationBiogas Production andUtilisation :

Sources

Sewage sludge Agricultural wastes Industrial wastes Animal by-products Municipal solid wastes

Anaerobic Digestion Methods

Dry continuous digestion of source separated waste Farm-scale biogas production Large-scale centralized co-digestion

Landfills are a large source of biogas.
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In a landfill, anaerobic digestion of wastes occurs naturally. Gas collection is practical for landfills that

are at least 40 feet deep and contain at least 1 million tons of waste. The Oregon Department ofRenewable Resources provides an overview ofbiogas production technologies.

After biogas is produced and extracted, it must be upgraded for pipeline distribution or use as avehiclefuel. This means increasing the proportion of methane and decreasing the proportion of carbon dioxideand contaminants. This is accomplished using processes such as absorption, adsorption, membrane

separation, and cryogenic separation. For information on upgrading biogas, seeBiogas Upgrading to

Vehicle Fuel Standards and Grid Injection .

The International Energy Agency estimates that, in 2005, 185 anaerobic digestion plants had thecapacity to process 5 million metric tons of municipal solid and organic industrial waste to generate 600

MW of electricity. The potential for biogas production is much larger. Areportby the CIVITAS

Initiative estimates that European biogas production could satisfy 12-20% of European natural gasconsumption.

Natural Gas Vehicles for Americacites a 1998 study estimating that the biogas potential from landfills,

animal waste, and sewage is equivalent to 6% of U.S. natural gas consumption or 10 billion gasoline gallonequivalents of transportation fuel (about 7% of year 2006 U.S. gasoline consumption)

Biogas DistributionBiogas is typically consumed at the point ofproduction, such as with household-sized cooking and lighting

systems, or distributed via pipeline. Different end uses require different levels of gas quality. Boilers,

for example, can use relatively low-quality biogas, whereas biogas must be upgraded to a high standardfor vehicle fuel and injection into the natural gas grid.

Once biogas has been upgraded to the required quality standard, it could be distributed via the same

routes asconventional natural gas. Because the required technologies are not yet fully developed and

tested, distributing upgraded biogas via the pipeline grid is not a common practice today

BENEFITS

Biogas BenefitsThe benefits of biogas are similar to thebenefits of natural gas: increasing energy security, paving theway for fuel cell vehicles, and improving public health and the environment through reduced vehicleemissions. The following are additional potential benefits of biogas:

It is a domestic, renewable resource; using it offsets the use of non-renewable resources suchas coal, oil, and fossil fuel-derived natural gas, with corresponding emission reduction and energy

security benefits. It directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by preventing methane release into the atmosphere

(methane is 21-times stronger as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide).

Itsproductioncreates jobs and benefits the local economy. For landfills, it reduces the cost of complying with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency landfill

gas combustion requirements.
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/biogas.shtmlhttp://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/biogas.shtmlhttp://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/biogas.shtmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.trendsetter-europe.org/index.php?ID=1699http://www.trendsetter-europe.org/index.php?ID=1699http://www.trendsetter-europe.org/index.php?ID=1699http://www.ngvc.org/http://www.ngvc.org/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biogas_production.htmlhttp://www.ngvc.org/http://www.trendsetter-europe.org/index.php?ID=1699http://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.iea-biogas.net/_download/publi-task37/upgrading_report_final.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_cng_lng.htmlhttp://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/biogas.shtml


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Anaerobic digestion systems (non-landfill) treat waste naturally, require less land area thanaerobic composting, reduce the amount of material that must be landfilled, reduce waste odors,and produce sanitized compost and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer.

BIOGAS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Research and development are reducing the costs of biogasproductionand purification,

producing higher-quality natural gas from biogas, and evaluating the performance of biogas-fueled vehicles.

3- HYDROGENATION-DERIVED RENEWABLE DIESELHydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is the product of fats or vegetable oilsalone orblended with petroleumthat have been refined in an oil refinery. To learn about HDRD, choosefrom the links below.

What is hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel? Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is theproductof fats or vegetable oilsalone

or blended with petroleumthat have been refined in an oil refinery. HDRD produced in thismanner is sometimes called a "second-generation biodiesel."

HDRD as an Alternative Fuel

Although largely unproven, it is expected that HDRD will substitute directly for or blend in anyproportion with petroleum-based diesel, without modification to vehicle engines or fueling

infrastructure.

HDRD'sultra-low sulfurcontent and high cetane number (a measure of the combustion quality ofdiesel fuel) likely will provide vehicle performance and emissionsbenefits. HDRD is not widely

available at present, but it is likely to become fully commercialized in the near future. A numberofproducershave commercial trials underway. Gasoline can be produced using a similar refiningprocess, but this process is in an earlier stage of development.

PRODUCTION

Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel ProductionHydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is produced by refining fats or vegetable oilsalone or

blended with petroleumin anoil refinery. This typically involves hydrogenation of triglycerides using

existing refinery infrastructure. Gasoline can be produced using a similar refining process, but thisprocess is in an earlier stage of development. A number of manufacturers around the world are

developing HDRD refining processes and testing them in commercial trials. Following are briefdescriptions of some of the projects.

ConocoPhillips (United States, Ireland)ConocoPhillips is producing HDRD at its Whitegate refinery in Cork, Ireland. The primary renewablefeedstock is soybean oil, but other vegetable oils and animal fats and oils could be used as well. The
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HDRD is being produced using existing refinery equipment and is blended and transported with

petroleum-based diesel. Initial production is 1,000 barrels per day. ConocoPhillips is also partnering with

Tyson Foods to produce HDRD using animal fat, beginning in 2007 and ramping up to as much as 11,000barrels per day by 2009.

Neste Oil (Finland)Neste Oil is producing HDRD using its NExBTL process, beginning in 2007. A second plant is scheduled tocome online in 2008, for a total production capacity of 340,000 metric tons per year.

Petrobras (Brazil)Brazilian oil company Petrobras developed theH-BIO process, which produces HDRD using hydrotreatingunits in existing oil refineries. Petrobras is planning to use the H-BIO process in three of its refineries

by 2007 and two more by 2008, with a total vegetable oil consumption of more than 7,000 barrels perday.

Syntroleum (United States)Syntroleum formed a joint venture with Tyson Foods to produce HDRD and jet fuel using itsBiofining

process. Production from its first plant was scheduled to come online in 2010 at a rate of about 5,000barrels of synthetic fuel per day.

UOP-Eni (United States, Italy)The first "Ecofining" facility developed by UOP and Italian oil and gas companyEniwas scheduled to

come online in 2009, processing 6,500 barrels per day of vegetable oils into green diesel. The U.S.Department of Energy has supported UOP'sRenewable Energy and Chemicalsunit in developing HDRDproduction technologies.

Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel DistributionOne majorbenefitof hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is its compatibility with currently

existing fuel distribution systems. It could be transported through the existing infrastructure, includingpipeline transport, and dispensed at existing fueling stations.

BENEFITS

Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel BenefitsLike other biomass-derived fuels, hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) can beproduced

domestically from a variety of homegrown feedstocks while creating U.S. jobs, and greenhouse gasemissions are reduced because carbon dioxide captured when the feedstock crops are grown balances

carbon dioxide released when the fuel is burned. The following are additional potential benefits ofHDRD:

It should be able to be used directly in today's diesel-poweredvehicles.

It should be compatible with the current diesel distributioninfrastructure and not require new or modified pipelines, storage

tanks, or retail station pumps.
http://www2.petrobras.com.br/tecnologia/ing/hbio.asphttp://www2.petrobras.com.br/tecnologia/ing/hbio.asphttp://www2.petrobras.com.br/tecnologia/ing/hbio.asphttp://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.uop.com/renewables/10010.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10010.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10010.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_benefits.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10010.htmlhttp://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www2.petrobras.com.br/tecnologia/ing/hbio.asp


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It can be produced using existing oil refinery capacity and does notrequire extensive new production facilities.

Its fuel properties, especially its high cetane number, suggest itwill provide similar or better vehicle performance thanconventional diesel.

Itsultra-low sulfur contentshould enable use of advanced emissioncontrol devices.

Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel Research and DevelopmentHydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is close to full commercialization, and much of theongoing research and development is being performed by manufacturers. See a list of manufacturers and

projects on theProductionpage. The U.S. Department of Energy has supported research and

development efforts, including the work of UOP'sRenewable Energy and Chemicalsunit in developingHDRD production technologies.

4-METHANOLAlso known as wood alcohol, methanol can be used as an alternative fuel. The use of methanol hasdramatically declined since the early 1990s, and auto makers are no longer manufacturing vehicles thatrun on it.

This page serves as a table of contents for the Methanol section. Choose from the links below to learnmore about this alternative fuel.

METHANOL BASICSMethanol (CH3OH), also known as wood alcohol, is considered an alternative fuel under theEnergy Policy

Act of 1992. Today, most of the world's methanol is produced by a process usingnatural gasas afeedstock.

Methanol can be used to make methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenate that is blended withgasoline to enhance octane and create cleaner burning fuel. MTBE production and use has declined in

recent years because it has been found to contaminate ground water.

As an engine fuel, methanol has similar chemical and physical characteristics asethanol. For moreinformation, see theFuel Propertiessection.

METHANOL PRODUCTIONMethanol is methane with one hydrogen molecule replaced by a hydroxyl radical (OH). It is predominantly

produced by steam reforming natural gas to create a synthesis gas, which is then fed into a reactor

vessel in the presence of a catalyst. This process then produces methanol and water vapor. Although avariety of feedstocks can be used to create methanol, today's economics favor the use of natural gas.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_sulfur_diesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_sulfur_diesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_sulfur_diesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.uop.com/renewables/10000.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_green_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_sulfur_diesel.html


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METHANOL BENEFITSMethanol's physical and chemical characteristics offer several advantages as an alternative fuel.

Benefits include relatively low production cost and a lower risk of flammability compared to gasoline. In

addition, methanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbon-based feedstocks, such as coal. Its usecould also help reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum.

In addition, methanol can be made intohydrogen. Researchers are currently looking at ways to overcomethe barriers to using methanol as a hydrogen fuel source for futurefuel cell vehicles.

5- P-SERIESP-Series fuel is a blend of natural gas liquids (pentanes plus), ethanol, and the biomass-derived co-

solvent methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF). P-Series fuels are clear, colorless, 89-93 octane, liquid blends

that are formulated to be used inflexible fuel vehicles(FFVs). P-Series fuel can be used alone or freely

mixed with gasoline in any proportion inside an FFV fuel tank. Currently, P-Series is not being produced inlarge quantities and is not widely used.

P-Series is the only fuel to be added to the list of authorized alternative fuels under theEnergy PolicyAct of 1992(EPAct). It was added to the list through the EPAct petitions provision in 1999.

6-xTL FUELSSynthetic liquid transportation fuels, collectively known as xTL fuels, are produced through specialized

conversion processes. These production methods, including the Fischer-Tropsch process, produce fuels

from carbon-based feedstocks, such as biomass, coal, or natural gas, and can yield many useful fuels,including gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and methanol.

LIQUID FUELS FROM COAL AND NATURAL GASLiquid fuels from coal and natural gas are produced primarily through the Fischer-Tropsch processdescribed below. Producing liquid fuels from coal and natural gas can result in greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions, butcarbon sequestrationcan mitigate this disadvantage.

In addition, coal can be converted directly into liquids through liquefaction. The Bergius hydrogenationprocess is a primary method that involves reacting low-grade coal with hydrogen at a high temperature

and pressure to produce liquids that can be refined into synthetic fuels. China, India, and the Philippinesare studying and deploying direct liquefaction technologies.

Fischer-Tropsch Process

The Fisher-Tropsch process produces liquid transportation fuels by converting syngasa mixture of

carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced from biomass or fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal

intoFischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel. F-T diesel can substitute for conventional petroleum diesel to fuel dieselvehicles without modifying the engine or fueling infrastructure.

In 1923, Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch studied converting coal-derived syngas into useful compounds,

such as diesel. The key to F-T synthesis is the catalystssubstances that facilitate chemical reactions

without being consumed by the reaction. The process includes three steps that occur in the presence ofcatalysts:
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www.energy.gov/sciencetech/carbonsequestration.htmhttp://www.energy.gov/sciencetech/carbonsequestration.htmhttp://www.energy.gov/sciencetech/carbonsequestration.htmhttp://www.energy.gov/sciencetech/carbonsequestration.htmhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.html


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1. Syngas FormationOld Hydrocarbon + Oxygen Syngas

2. Fischer-Tropsch ReactionSyngas New Hydrocarbon + Water

3. RefiningNew Hydrocarbon Fuels, Chemicals, etc.

The F-T process is beneficial because it converts relatively inflexible energy sourcessuch as coal orbiomass indicated as "Old Hydrocarbon" in the first stepinto useful transportation fuels. Becausepetroleum-based fuels are in high demand, F-T diesel is a valuable substitute.

LIQUID FUELS FROM BIOMASSLiquid fuels converted from biomass feedstocks are produced primarily through two processes:

Gasificationheating biomass by partial oxidation to producesynthesis gas (syngas)Biomass is converted to gas by heating it in the presence of aboutone third of the oxygen needed for combustion. The resulting

syngas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen that can be

burned to produce electricity or converted into hydrocarbons(such as gasoline and diesel), alcohols, ethers, or chemical

products. The petroleum and petrochemical industries have

developed commercial processes for converting syngas into fuelsand chemicals.

Pyrolysisheating biomass in the absence of oxygen to produceliquid oilSometimes called bio-oil, pyrolysis oil can be burned like fuel oil or

refined into chemicals and fuels. Upgrading pyrolysis oil to high-

quality hydrocarbon fuels has been demonstrated at a non-commercial scale.

Both processes use heat and chemical reactions to convert biomass into fuels, chemicals, and power. The

products are cleaner and more efficient than the original biomass. These processes can also convertbiomass, such as wood and agricultural residues, that is difficult to handle with other biofuel productionprocesses.

Liquid fuels from biomass differ from fuels produced through fermentation and other processes thatuse only part of a biomass feedstock, such as those that produceethanol,biobutanol, andbiodiesel.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_biobutanol.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.html


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BENEFITS OF XTL FUELSLiquid fuels produced from carbon-based feedstocks are viable alternatives to conventionaltransportation fuels. The benefits of xTL fuels include:

Technological CompatibilityxTL fuels are compatible withcurrent diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles and fuel distributioninfrastructure. xTL fuels do not require new or modified pipelines,storage tanks, or retail station pumps.

Increased Energy SecurityUsing the United State's vast coalreserves and natural gas to produce transportation fuels would

reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum and increase energy

security. xTL fuels produced domestically can also create jobs inthe United States.

Improved Vehicle PerformanceLiquid fuels from natural gas andF-T diesel can provide similar or better vehicle performance than

conventional fuels.

Reduced Exhaust EmissionsWith F-T diesel, emission-controlcatalysts can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, little or no

particulate emissions exist because it has low sulfur and aromaticcontent, and there are fewer hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide

emissions.

Fewer GHG EmissionsFuels converted from stranded natural gasreserves, which are otherwise not economical to recover, requireno gas flaring and produce fewer GHG emissions. Fuels from

biomass can produce fewer GHG emissions because carbon dioxide

captured during feedstock growth offsets carbon dioxideemissions from burning fuel.

RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING XTL FUELSGas-to-liquid and coal-to-liquid production processes are in relatively advanced stages of developmentand in commercial production. Biomass-to-liquid processes are less mature. For all three processes,

research and development efforts are improving the efficiency and economics of production as well asquantifying costs and benefits of production and use in vehicles.

Companies involved in xTL fuel production includeSasol,Shell,Syntroleum, andRentech. Since the late

1990s, most major oil companies have announced plans to investigate producing diesel through gas-to-liquid processes. The U.S. Department of Energy and several national laboratories support xTL fuelproduction research and development.
http://www.sasol.com/http://www.sasol.com/http://www.sasol.com/http://www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions/products_services/automotive/http://www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions/products_services/automotive/http://www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions/products_services/automotive/http://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.rentechinc.com/index.phphttp://www.rentechinc.com/index.phphttp://www.rentechinc.com/index.phphttp://www.rentechinc.com/index.phphttp://www.syntroleum.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=2029&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=11912http://www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions/products_services/automotive/http://www.sasol.com/


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BIODIESELBiodiesel is a renewable alternative fuelproducedfrom a wide range of vegetable oils and animalfats. Pure biodiesel or biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel can be used to fuel diesel vehicles,providing energy security and emissions and safetybenefits.

Basics What is biodiesel?B20 and B100ProductionStatisticsDistributionBenefits

What is biodiesel?Biodiesel is a liquid fuel made up of fatty acid alkyl esters, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), orlong-chain mono alkyl esters. It isproducedfrom renewable sources such as new and usedvegetable oils and animal fats and is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel

fuel. It is nontoxic and biodegradable. Biodiesel has physical properties similar to those ofpetroleum diesel:

Biodiesel's Physical Characteristics

Specific gravity 0.88

Kinematic viscosity at 40C 4.0 to 6.0

Cetane number 48 to 65

Higher heating value, Btu/gal 127,042

Lower heating value, Btu/gal 118,170

Density, lb/gal at 15.5C 7.3

Carbon, wt% 77

Hydrogen, wt% 12
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_basics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_what_is.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_what_is.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_what_is.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_statistics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_statistics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_statistics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_what_is.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_basics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.html


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Oxygen, by dif. wt% 11

Boiling point, C 315-350

Flash point, C 100-170

Sulfur, wt% 0.0 to 0.0024

Cloud point, C -3 to 15

Pour point, C -5 to 10

Like petroleum diesel,biodiesel is used to fuelcompression-ignition (diesel) engines.Low-levelblendsof biodiesel with petroleum diesel also providebenefits.

B20 AND B100: ALTERNATIVE FUELSThe interest in biodiesel as an alternative transportation fuel stems mainly from its renewable,domesticproduction; its safe, clean-burning properties; and its compatibility with existing dieselengines.

Biodiesel can be legally blended with petroleum diesel in any percentage. The percentages aredesignated as B20 for a blend containing 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, B100 for100% biodiesel, and so forth. B100 and blends of B20 or higher qualify for alternative fuelcredits under theEnergy Policy Act of 1992.

B20Twenty percent biodiesel and 80% petroleum dieselB20is the most common biodiesel blendin the United States. Using B20 provides substantialbenefitsbut avoids many of the cold-weather performance and material compatibility concerns associated with B100.

B20 can be used in nearly all diesel equipment and is compatible with most storage anddistributionequipment. B20 and lower-level blends generally do not require enginemodifications. Not all diesel engine manufacturers cover biodiesel use in their warranties,however. See theNational Biodiesel Board's Standards and Warrantiespage to learn more aboutengine warranties. Because diesel engines are expensive, users should consult their vehicle andengine warranty statements before using biodiesel. Biodiesel blends between B6-B20 must meetprescribed quality standardsASTM D7467 (summary of requirements).

Biodiesel contains about 8% less energy per gallon than petroleum diesel. For B20, this couldmean a 1 to 2% difference, but most B20 users report no noticeable difference in performance orfuel economy. Greenhouse gas and air-quality benefits of biodiesel are roughly commensuratewith the blend; B20 use provides about 20% of the benefit of B100 use and so forth.Low-levelbiodiesel blendsalso provide benefits.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems/default.shtmhttp://www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems/default.shtmhttp://www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems/default.shtmhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b20http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b20http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b20http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b20http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems/default.shtmhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_distribution.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation#epact92http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.html


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B100B100 or other high-level biodiesel blends can be used in some engines built since 1994 withbiodiesel-compatible material for parts such as hoses and gaskets. However, as biodiesel blendlevels increase significantly beyond B20, a number of concerns come into play. Users must beaware of lower energy content per gallon and potential issues with impact on engine warranties,low-temperature gelling, solvency/cleaning effect if regular diesel was previously used, and

microbial contamination. To avoid engine operational problems, pure biodiesel (B100) must meetthe requirements of ASTM D6751-09, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) BlendStock for Distillate Fuels (summary of requirements).

B100 use could also increase nitrogen oxides emissions, although it greatly reduces other toxicemissions. All these issues can be handled, but currently B100 use might be best for professionalfleets with maintenance departments prepared to deal with this fuel.

BIODIESEL PRODUCTIONBiodiesel can be made from new or used vegetable oils and animal fats, which are

nontoxic, biodegradable, and renewable. Fats and oils are chemically reacted with an alcohol(methanol is most commonly used in the United States) to produce chemical compounds knownas fatty acid methyl esters. Biodiesel is the name given to these esters when they are intendedfor use as fuel. Glycerin (used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, among other markets) isproduced as a co-product.

Biodiesel can be produced using a variety of esterification technologies. The oils and fats arefiltered and preprocessed to remove water and contaminants. If free fatty acids are present, theycan be removed or transformed into biodiesel using special pretreatment technologies. Thepretreated oils and fats are then mixed with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst (usuallysodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide). The oil molecules (triglycerides) are broken apartand reformed into methyl esters and glycerin, which are then separated from each other and

purified. Roughly speaking, 100 pounds of oil or fat are reacted with 10 pounds of a short-chainalcohol (usually methanol) with a catalyst to form 100 pounds of biodiesel and 10 pounds ofglycerin.

Although the process is relatively simple, homemade biodiesel is not recommended. Dieselengines are expensive, and it is not worth risking damage or even minor operational problemsfrom fuel that does not meet rigorous ASTM D6751 specifications. Section 3.1 of theBiodiesel

Handling and Use Guidelines provides a summary of this standard. The full standard can bepurchased fromASTM International.

Do not use raw vegetable oil in a diesel engine. Fats and oils (triglycerides) are much moreviscous than biodiesel, and low-level vegetable oil blends can cause long-term engine deposits,ring sticking, lube oil gelling, and other maintenance problems that can reduce engine life.

Much of the original biodiesel production capacity comes from companies already makingproducts from vegetable oil or animal fat in the detergent industry among others. More than halfthe biodiesel industry can use any fat or oil feedstock, including recycled cooking grease. Theother half of the industry is limited to vegetable oils; soy oil is the most common source in theUnited States today. The soy industry has been the driving force behind biodieselcommercialization because of excess production capacity, product surpluses, and decliningprices. Similar issues apply to the recycled grease and animal fats industry, even though these
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b100http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b100http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b100http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/D6751.htm?L+mystore+kbxp4520http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/D6751.htm?L+mystore+kbxp4520http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/D6751.htm?L+mystore+kbxp4520http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/D6751.htm?L+mystore+kbxp4520http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/43672.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b100


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feedstocks are less expensive than soy oils. A possibly limiting factor for biodiesel industrygrowth is potential saturation of the market for glycerin

SCHEMATIC OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION PATH


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BIODIESEL STATISTICS

Today, biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, yellow grease, and tallow. Domestic productionincreased dramatically over the past decade, however, consumption has not increased at thesame rate. Exports increased, mostly to Europe, due to favorable U.S. pricing and currency rates

as well as European biodiesel use requirements. European and domestic policy changes mayimpact U.S. biodiesel exports in the near term. Current research is focused on developing algaeas a potential biodiesel feedstock because it is expected to produce high yields from a smallerarea of land than vegetable oils.

BIODIESEL DISTRIBUTIONBiodiesel is distributed from the point ofproductionvia truck, train, or barge. Pipelinedistribution of biodiesel, which would be the most economical option, is still in the experimentalphase. Distributors are available from the National Biodiesel Board'slocationspage. Biodiesel isdistributed to retailfueling stationsand directly to end users such as large vehicle fleets. Mostbiodiesel distributors will deliver pure or preblended (with petroleum diesel) biodiesel dependingon the customer's preference.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/biomaps/biomaps.shtmhttp://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/biomaps/biomaps.shtmhttp://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/biomaps/biomaps.shtmhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_stations.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_stations.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_stations.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_stations.htmlhttp://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/biomaps/biomaps.shtmhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.html


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BIODIESEL BENEFITSBiodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel.Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves public health and theenvironment, and provides safety benefits. For more information, see theNational Biodiesel

Board's Benefits of Biodiesel .

Increasing Energy SecurityThe United States imports more than 60% of its petroleum, two-thirds of which is used to fuelvehicles in the form of gasoline and diesel. The demand for petroleum imports is increasing. Withmuch of the worldwide petroleum reserves located in politically volatile countries, the UnitedStates is vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Biodiesel can beproduceddomestically and used in conventional diesel engines, directlysubstituting for or extending supplies of traditional petroleum diesel. (Remember to consult withyour auto manufacturer and engine warranty statement before using biodiesel in your vehicle.) Italso has an excellent energy balance: biodiesel contains 3.2 times the amount of energy it takesto produce it.

Protecting Public Health and the EnvironmentCompared with using petroleum diesel, using biodiesel in a conventional diesel enginesubstantially reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO),sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, andparticulate matter (PM). The reductions increase as the amount of biodiesel blended into dieselfuel increases. B100 provides the best emission reductions, but lower-level blends also providebenefits. B20 has been shown to reduce PM emissions 10%, CO 11%, and unburned HC 21%(see graph). Learn more aboutBiodiesel Emissions.

Source: EPA 2002

Using biodiesel also reduces greenhouse gas emissions because carbon dioxide released frombiodiesel combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide sequestered while growing the soybeans or
http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/emissions_biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/emissions_biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/emissions_biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/emissions_biodiesel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_production.htmlhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdfhttp://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.pdf


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other feedstock. B100 use reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 75% compared withpetroleum diesel. Using B20 reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15%.

Biodiesel Improves Engine OperationBiodiesel improves fuel lubricity and raises the cetane number of the fuel. Diesel engines dependon the lubricity of the fuel to keep moving parts from wearing prematurely. Federal regulations

reduced sulfur in diesel fuel to 15 ppm a few years ago, which resulted in reduced lubricity ofpetroleum diesel. Diesel specification ASTM D975 was modified to require lubricity; biodieselprovides adequate lubricity to meet this requirement at blends as low as 1%.

Providing Safety BenefitsBiodiesel is nontoxic, so it causes far less damage than petroleum diesel if spilled or otherwisereleased to the environment. It is also safer than petroleum diesel because it is less combustible.The flashpoint for biodiesel is higher than 150C, compared with about 52C for petroleumdiesel. Biodiesel is safe to handle, store, and transport.

ETHANOLThis Ethanol subsite represents a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy'sBiomassand

Vehicle TechnologiesPrograms and covers the entire production cycle of ethanol, from the fieldto the fuel tank. For information on other biofuels, go to theFuelssection

Ethanol BasicsEthanol is a renewable fuel made from various plant materials, which collectively are called"biomass." Ethanol contains the same chemical compound (C2H5OH) found in alcoholicbeverages. Nearly half of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol in alow-level blendto oxygenate thefuel and reduce air pollution. Ethanol is also increasingly available inE85, an alternative fuel thatcan be used inflexible fuel vehicles. Studies have estimated that ethanol and other biofuels couldreplace 30% or more of U.S. gasoline demand by 2030.

Several steps are required to make ethanol available as a vehicle fuelsee the supply chaindiagram below. Biomass feedstocks are grown, then various logistical systems are used to collectand transport them to ethanol production facilities. After ethanol is produced at the facilities, adistribution network supplies ethanol-gasoline blends to fueling stations for use by drivers.

This page lists basic ethanol topics. To learn more, select one of the following links or select astep in the ethanol supply chain diagram.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/


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What is ethanol?Ethanol (CH3CH2OH; also known as ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, and EtOH) is a clear, colorlessliquid. Its molecules contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to a carbon atom. To learn more,see the fuel properties table on theE85 Specificationspage. Ethanol is made of the samechemical compoundand it is the same renewable biofuelwhether it is produced fromstarch-and sugar-based feedstockssuch as corn grain (as it primarily is in the United States) and sugar

cane (as it primarily is in Brazil) or fromcellulosic feedstocks.

Making ethanol from cellulosic feedstockssuch as grass, wood, crop residues, or oldnewspapersis more challenging than using starch or sugars. These materials must first bebroken down into their component sugars for subsequent fermentation to ethanol in a processcalled biochemical conversion. Cellulosic feedstocks also can be converted into ethanol usingheat and chemicals in a process called thermochemical conversion.Cellulosic ethanol conversionprocessesare a major focus of U.S. Department of Energy research.

Ethanol works well in internal combustion engines. In fact, Henry Ford and other earlyautomakers thought ethanol would be the world's primary fuel before gasoline became so readilyavailable. A gallon of pure ethanol (E100) contains 34% less energy than a gallon of gasoline.

Ethanol is a high-octane fuel. Octane helps prevent engine knocking and is extremely importantin engines designed to operate at a higher compression ratio, so they generate more power.These engines tend to be found in high-performance vehicles. Low-levelblendsof ethanol, suchas E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), generally have a higher octane rating than unleadedgasoline. Low-octane gasoline can be blended with 10% ethanol to attain the standard 87 octanerequirement. Ethanol is the main component inE85, a high-level blend of 85% ethanol and 15%gasoline.

Printable Version

Ethanol BenefitsEthanol is a renewable, largely domestic transportation fuel. Whether used in low-levelblends,

such as E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), or inE85(85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), ethanol helpsreduce imported oil and greenhouse gas emissions. Its use also supports the U.S. agriculturalsector. This page describes the benefits of ethanol. For additional details, visit the U.S.Department of Energy Biomass Program'sBenefitspage.

Increasing Energy SecurityAbout two-thirds of U.S. petroleum demand is in the transportation sector. Sixty percent of U.S.petroleum is currently imported. Depending heavily on foreign petroleum supplies puts theUnited States at risk for trade deficits, supply disruption, and price changes. Ethanol, on theother hand, is almost entirely produced from domestic crops today. Its use, and that of otheralternative fuels, can displace a significant amount of imported petroleum.

Fueling the EconomyEthanol production is a new industry that is creating jobs in rural areas where employmentopportunities are needed. The Renewable Fuels Association's2011 Ethanol Industry Outlook report calculated that in 2010 the ethanol industry replaced the gasoline produced from morethan 445 million barrels of imported oil. In addition, ethanol production supported more than400,000 jobs across the country. A recent report (Economic Contribution of the Partial Exemption

for Ethanol From the Federal Excise Tax on Motor Fuel ) claims there is an economic return oninvestment of nearly five to one for each dollar spent in the form of the federal tax incentive forethanol use
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85_specs.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85_specs.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85_specs.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.html?printhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.html?printhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_benefits.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_benefits.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_benefits.htmlhttp://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/exisetax.pdfhttp://www.ethanolrfa.org/page/-/2011%20RFA%20Ethanol%20Industry%20Outlook.pdf?nocdn=1http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_benefits.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/benefits.html?printhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/blends.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/feedstocks_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/e85_specs.html


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Ethanol Energy Balance

Ethanol - The Complete Energy Lifecycle Picture

Ethanol in the United States is mainlyproduced from the starchin corn grain. Some studies havesuggested that corn-based ethanol has a negative energy balance. However, a preponderance ofrecent studies using updated data about corn production methods demonstrates a positiveenergy balance for corn ethanol.

In addition, once the technology toproduce cellulosic ethanolbecomes widely available, theenergy lifecycle balance of ethanol will improve. That's because it will be produced using lessfossil fuel and more energy-efficient feedstocks, such as fast-growing trees, corn stover, grain

straw, switchgrass, forest product residues, and municipal waste. Cellulosic ethanol alsoproduces lower levels ofgreenhouse gas emissions.

Ethanol Greenhouse Gas EmissionsUsing ethanol as a vehicle fuel provides local and global benefitsreducing emissions ofharmfulpollutantsand greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas implicated in global warming (others includemethane and nitrous oxide). CO2 is produced when carbon that had been stored on or within theEarth is released into the atmospheresuch as when fossil fuels are burned. CO2 can also be

removed from the atmosphere, primarily by the action of plants, which consume it duringphotosynthesis.

The CO2 released when ethanol is burned as a vehicle fuel is offset by the CO2 captured whencrops used to make the ethanol are grown. As a result, ethanol-powered vehicles produce lessnet CO2 than gasoline-powered vehicles per mile traveled.

To get a picture of the true greenhouse gas reduction, life-cycle analyses are used to calculateCO2 emissions and uptake at each step of the ethanol and gasoline production and useprocesses. For ethanol, these steps include growing of the feedstock crops, transporting thefeedstock to the production plant, producing the ethanol, distributing it, and burning it invehicles. For gasoline, crude oil must be extracted from the ground, transported to an oilrefinery, refined, distributed, and burned in vehicles.

Studies have shown that, when these entire fuel cycles are considered, using corn-based ethanolinstead of gasoline reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 19% to 52%, depending on the sourceof energy used during ethanol production (see graph below). Using cellulosic ethanol provides aneven greater benefitreducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86%. Recent studies haveshown the importance of incorporating assumptions about future crop production rates and landuse into life-cycle analyses; these factors can affect net greenhouse gas emission calculationssubstantially.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/program/ethanol_brochure_color.pdfhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/program/ethanol_brochure_color.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/program/ethanol_brochure_color.pdfhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/program/ethanol_brochure_color.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/emissions.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_cellulosic.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/production_starch_sugar.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/program/ethanol_brochure_color.pdf


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Source:Life-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Impacts of Different Corn Ethanol Plant Types ;DOEBiomass Program
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4ahttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/environmental.htmlhttp://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-search=51073775.3/1748-9326/2/2/024001/erl7_2_024001.pdf?request-id=4acc86cf-1b65-4123-a937-4d7492866f4a


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Ethanol Production

Today, U.S. ethanol is primarily produced from starch-based crops by dry-mill or wet-millprocessing. Cellulosic ethanol has been produced commercially in very small volumes. Severalcommercial cellulosic ethanol production plants are under construction, and intensive research

and development is rapidly advancing the state of cellulosic ethanol technology.

*Trade includes small changes in stock

Source: Energy Information Agency (EIA) (Graph Data )
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/ethanol_production_consumption.xls


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Source: Renewable Fuels Association, 2009 (Graph Data )

HYDROGEN

Hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize transportation and, possibly, our entire energysystem. The simplest and most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen can beproducedfrom fossil fuels and biomass and even by electrolyzing water. Producing hydrogen withrenewable energy and using it infuel cell vehiclesholds the promise of virtually pollution-freetransportation and independence from imported petroleum.

BASICS:-

What is hydrogen?Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universeit is number 1 on the

periodic table of elements (this link takes you to Los Alamos National Laboratory's site). At

Earth surface temperatures and pressures, it is a colorless, odorless gas (H2). However,hydrogen is rarely found alone in nature. It is usually bonded with other elements. See the AFDCFuel Properties databasefor more details.

Very little hydrogen gas is present in Earth's atmosphere. Hydrogen is locked up in enormousquantities in water (H2O), hydrocarbons (such as methane, CH4), and other organic matter.Efficiently producing hydrogen from these compounds is one of the challenges of using hydrogenas a fuel.

Currently, steam reforming of methane (natural gas) accounts for about 95% of the hydrogenproducedin the United States. Almost all of the approximately 9 million tons of hydrogenproduced here each year are used for refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer,and processing foods. Hydrogen has been used for space flight since the 1950s; learn more on

theNASAwebsite.

Hydrogen also can be used tofuelinternal combustion engines and fuel cells, both of which canpower low- or zero-emissions vehicles such asfuel cell vehicles. Majorresearch and developmentefforts are aimed at making hydrogen vehicles practical for widespread use.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_basics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_basics.htmlhttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_alternative.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_research.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_research.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_research.htmlhttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xlshttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_research.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_alternative.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/hydrogen.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/properties.htmlhttp://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_basics.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen_production.htmlhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/docs/world_ethanol_production.xls


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Hydrogen ProductionHydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source. Energy is required to separate it from othercompounds. Once produced, hydrogen stores energy until it is delivered in a usable form, suchas hydrogen gas delivered into a fuel cell.

Hydrogen can be produced from diverse, domestic resources including fossil fuels, nuclearenergy, biomass, and other renewable energy technologies. The environmental impact andenergy efficiency of hydrogen depends greatly on how it is produced.

The following are some ways to produce hydrogen. Many are in the early stages of development.

For more information, seeHydrogen Production

Natural gas reforming"synthesis gas" is created by reactingnatural gas with high-temperature steam or by partialoxidation. The synthesis gas is then reacted with water toproduce hydrogen

Renewable electrolysisan electric current generated byrenewable energy technologies, such as wind or solar, splitswater into hydrogen and oxygen

GasificationCoal or biomass is converted into gaseouscomponents and then into synthesis gas, which is reactedwith steam to produce hydrogen

Renewable liquid reformingrenewable liquid fuels such asethanol are reacted with high-temperature steam to producehydrogen near the point of end-use

Nuclear high-temperature electrolysisheat from a nuclearreactor is used to improve the efficiency of water electrolysisto produce hydrogen

High-temperature thermochemical water-splittinghightemperatures generated by solar concentrators or nuclearreactors drive chemical reactions that split water to producehydrogen

Photobiologicalmicrobes such as green algae consume waterin the presence of sunlight, producing hydrogen as abyproduct

Photoelectrochemicalphotoelectrochemical systems producehydrogen from water using special semiconductors andenergy from sunlight

DOE-sponsoredresearchis investigating the ability of green algae to produce hydrogen directly from water andsunlight.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdfhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdfhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/basic_sciences/technology.cfm/tech=16#convhttp://www.nrel.gov/basic_sciences/technology.cfm/tech=16#convhttp://www.nrel.gov/basic_sciences/technology.cfm/tech=16#convhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdfhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdfhttp://www.nrel.gov/basic_sciences/technology.cfm/tech=16#convhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdf


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Natural gas reforming using steam accounts for about 95% of the approximately 9 million tons ofhydrogen produced in the United States annually. This level of hydrogen production could fuelmore than 34 million cars. The major hydrogen-producing states are California, Louisiana, andTexas. Almost all of the hydrogen produced in the United States is used for refining petroleum,

Documents

Emerging Fuels (MEHDI)