Top Research Papers on Biofuels

The downstream microbial fermentation can be further engineered to not only increase the product yield but also expand the chemical space of biofuels through the rational design and fine-tuning of biosynthetic pathways toward the realization of "designer fuels" and diverse future applications.

There is currently no sustainable reliance on liquid fossil fuels worldwide, which ensures that future fiscal, environmental and social stability requires alternative renewable sources of liquid fuel. In order to satisfy the worldwide demand for liquid fuel, microalgae production is needed on a commodity scale; however, there are significant challenges in ensuring that production is economical and durable. This paper aims to examine microalgae' economic and cost advantages in greater depth and evaluate how vital biofuel policy support is for microalgae. A systematic analysis outlined the obsta...

The aim of this paper is to review and analyse the latest available evidence to provide a greater clarity and understanding of the environmental impacts of different liquid biofuels and investigates the key methodological aspects and sources of uncertainty in the LCA ofBiofuels.

Sorghum is an important crop that serve multiple purposes as human food, animal feed, and bioenergy production. There are opportunities to produce different types of biofuels from sorghum-based biomass. Sorghum with its vast genetic resources can serve as bioenergy crop and not compete against the value of it as food and nutritional security crop. Bioenegy crops provides an opportunity for agriculture to be part of solution for energy and mitigation to climate change. This review provides detailed overview and current knowledge on the conversion of sorghum biomass (stalks, leaves, and grains) ...

Globally, protecting the environment is one of the major concerns and there is a need for an hour to accomplish the same by dropping numerous harmful activities such as less dependence on fossil fuels and tailpipe emissions. Additionally, a huge investment made on waste disposal is particularly not economical; but recycling is from the viewpoint of producing energy from renewable resources. These further result in the development of society in an eco-friendly way. Exploiting biodegradable wastes like agricultural or forestry residues, a non-edible portion is value-added biological products (bi...

Technoeconomic analysis serves as a useful method to screen potential research priorities, identify cost bottlenecks at the earliest stages of research, and provide the mass and energy data needed to conduct life-cycle environmental assessments.

Engineering of metabolic pathways to produce advanced biofuels and approaches to reduce metabolite toxicity and cost and increase titre, rate and yield are discussed.

Biofuel has emerged as an alternative source of energy to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and combat global warming. Biofuels are classified into first, second, third and fourth generations. Each of the biofuel generations aims to meet the global energy demand while minimizing environmental impacts. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the current generations without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. The aim of sustainability is to ensure continuous growth of the economy while protecting the environment and societal needs. Thus, this paper ai...

This review will address advances in bioprocesses and challenges for cellulase production which have surfaced in the last decade and present those challenges and its probable solutions.

Continuous environmental degradation, volatility in the oil market, and unimpressive functioning of fossil-based (FB) fuels in compression ignition engines have expanded the tempo of the search for alternative fuels. Due to the astronomical rise in global population, improved agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing activities, enhanced farming and other food production and utilization ventures, agricultural waste generation, renewable fuel consumption, and emission of toxic gases. The need for cost-effective, readily available, and environmentally benign agricultural waste to biofuels has ...

The National Policy on Biofuels (NPB) 2018 was adopted on May 16, 2018 in India to augment the generation of biofuels and to build a sustainable biofuel ecosystem. The Biodiesel Blending programme (BBP) got affected due to lack of sufficient feedstock coupled with an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective from July 1, 2017. The high GST resulted in the price of biodiesel being higher than that of conventional diesel thereby hindering the blending mandates. Most states in India do not allow free interstate movement of molasses resulting in artificially depressed prices besides derailing the...

The fossil fuel issues due to toxic carbon dioxide emissions and climate change have a direct link with the particulate matter that has caused severe threat to the environment. The bio-based products such as biodiesel and bio-compressed natural gas (Bio-CNG) can be less expensive and adaptable. Biofuels are increasingly being used in transportation, heat, and power development requiring the need for renewable sources of energy. This review highlights the use of dreck organic matters from aquatic environment and soil supplies for renewable energy production for human requirements, sustaining a ...

The European transport sector was responsible for more than 25% of the EU total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2017. 53% of these emissions came from the passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles segments. Biofuels are seen as one of the options to limit these emissions in Europe. To understand the recent evolution of biofuels and their future, this review gives an overview on the production, use, legislation, and environmental impacts of biofuels in Europe for light-duty vehicles. In 2017, biofuels made up 4.5% of the energy consumption in the road transport and non-road mobile machiner...

This work presents co-cultivation of microalgae with other microbes, and it compares conventional processes with processes integrating auto-flocculation, in situ transesterification and excretion, as well as discussing the impact of processes based onmicroalgae using life cycle assessment.

Biofuels are sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels because of their renewable and low-cost raw materials, environmentally friendly conversion technologies and low emissions upon combustion. In addition, biofuels can also be upgraded to enhance their fuel properties for wide applicability in power infrastructures. Biofuels can be produced from a wide variety of biomasses through thermochemical and biological conversion processes. This article provides insights into the fundamental and applied concepts of thermochemical conversion methods such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, liquefaction, gasific...

A plethora of investigations regarding the emerging techniques for process improvement like integration methods, less energy-intensive distillation techniques, and bioengineering of microorganisms are discussed, which can assist in making biofuel-production in a real-world market more economically and environmentally viable.

The steady increase in human population and a rising standard of living heighten global demand for energy. Fossil fuels account for more than three-quarters of energy production, releasing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) that drive climate change effects as well as contributing to severe air pollution in many countries. Hence, drastic reduction of CO 2 emissions, especially from fossil fuels, is essential to tackle anthropogenic climate change. To reduce CO 2 emissions and to cope with the ever-growing demand for energy, it is essential to develop renewable energy sources, of which ...

This paper gives a complete idea on the biofuel and its generation. In this fast-growing society there is a need of energies for survive. Biofuel, is the process where fossil fuel is replaced by organic material. It is an alternative source which can be also replaced the petroleum-based fuel. It is also the type of sustainable fuel derived from abundant biological sources called biomass. Biomass include a vast range of waste and plants. The objective of this paper is complete study of biofuel and its generation and find out the solution of other energy sources. The conclusion of this paper is ...

This critical review summarizes the utilization of algae as the resilient source for biofuel. The paper validates the different stages in generation of biofuels and provides a clarity on III generation biofuels. The microalgae is focused as an incredible source and a detailed discussion has been carried out from the cultivation, extraction and conversion to the final product. An elaborate view on conversion methodologies and troubles involved in the respective techniques are presented. The efficiency of the algal fuel performing in I/C engines derived from major techniques is considered. There...

The development of biofuel production from biomass has become a promising breakthrough and could tremendously enhance the potential of industrial technology. In this case, zeolites have emerged as suitable materials for catalyzing biomass conversion due to their outstanding catalytic properties, including the presence of the intrinsic acid sites, shape-selectivity properties, and high thermal stability. However, the sole micropores in zeolite cause diffusional limitation issues, especially for the bulky molecules involved in biomass feedstocks. For instance, many oxygenate molecules are too la...

The most promising directions in analytical application of conducting polymers (CPs) are outlined and some insights into the application of CP-based coatings for the design of implantable sensors and biofuel cells are addressed.

The world energy production trumped by the exhaustive utilization of fossil fuels has highlighted the importance of searching for an alternative energy source that exhibits great potential. Ongoing efforts are being implemented to resolve the challenges regarding the preliminary processes before conversion to bioenergy such as pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and cultivation of biomass. Nanotechnology has the ability to overcome the challenges associated with these biomass sources through their distinctive active sites for various reactions and processes. In this review, the potential of nan...

The inherent capability and increased efficiency of microalgae to convert sunlight into solar chemical energy are further enhanced by the higher amount of oils stored in microalgae compared to other land-based plant species. Therefore, the widespread interest in producing biofuels from microalgae has gained considerable interest among leading energy experts and researchers due to the burgeoning global issues stemming from the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, future energy security, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and the competition for limited resources between food crops and conventio...

Alternative fuels are still needed to compensate for the energy shortages caused by fossil fuel depletion. The paper aims to brief the types of alternative fuels used for the past 30 years. Moreover, it includes the recent types of biofuels (especially biodiesel) and their blends with studies on the performances and the exhaust emissions for different engines. In this study, previous studies were analysed, the challenges faced by the researchers were examined, and incentives for using biodiesel fuel in engines were discussed. The engine performance and emissions when using biodiesels and their...

Algal metabolism and cultivation; algal biomass conversion to biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, methane, electricity and fertilizers; and removal of metals with microalgae are reviewed.

Biofuels have received a lot of attention as an important source of renewable energy, with number of economic impacts. This study aims to investigate the economic potential of biofuels and then extract core aspects of how biofuels relate to a sustainable economy in order to achieve a sustainable biofuel economy. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of publications about biofuel economic research covering 2001 to 2022 experimenting with multiple bibliometric tools, such as R Studio, Biblioshiny, and VOSviewer. Findings show that research on biofuels and biofuel production growth are posi...

Among the various problems the world is facing, two problems are addressed in this paper. On the one hand, biomass, the fourth largest and most important renewable energy option that can provide different forms of energy, is criticized because it competes, sometimes, with the food chain. On the other hand, the amount of municipal sewage sludge has continued to increase over the years, and its disposal remains a crucial point of discussion between urban planners, wastewater managers, and leaders of environmental protection. To address this problem, researchers are directing their focus toward a...

Biofuels are fossil fuel alternatives produced from agricultural biomass or other organic matter; considered sustainable, eco-friendly, and bioeconomic biofuels have come up as a topic of discussion for over a decade. Their practical use depends on the production methods, low cost-technology implementation, and substrate used. This review gives an insight into different generations of biofuels with their applications and implications. First-generation biofuels are produced from edible biomass, but even in highly efficient processes, their yield isn't enough to cast them as a better alternative...

Abstract The global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their ...

Bio-based materials have been used traditionally for millennia. Their use was overtaken in recent times by the discovery and utilization of fossil-based resources for materials and energy. However, concerns about the non-renewability of fossil resources and greenhouse gas and other emissions associated with their use have brought forth a renewed interest in using bio-based materials in recent years. The environmental advantages of bio-based materials cannot be taken for granted without a rigorous scientific assessment. Many tools based on energy, economics, and environmental impacts have been ...

The capabilities and potential of advanced ML methods when encountering multifarious tasks in the future prospects to advance a new generation of bioenergy and biofuels conversion technologies are highlighted.

Foresight methods are useful for long-range planning such as strategic energy management, energy policy, and renewable and sustainable energy planning to manage uncertainties. Futures studies may affect the anticipation and speculation of future and emerging technologies. In this paper, biofuels futures are explored based on a critical evaluation of the literature to draw the state-of-the-art for the future-oriented biofuel research. A six-fold typology mapping from two main futures studies methodologies is used. (i) descriptive scenarios, forecasts, and statistical scenarios as descriptive me...

Energy demands, pollution and global warming induced by globalization are rising, thus calling for alternative sources of energies. In particular, biofuels are increasingly used for transportation, electric power and heat energy generation. Biofuels can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%. Biofuels are produced from organic matter and waste such as dry lignocellulose, algae, yeast, restaurant greases, food grain, non-food grain and animal fats. Biofuel from crop residues can be promoted by government subsidies to reduce the fuel price and meet the requirement of industries, transpor...

Exponential growth in industrialization can be seen as a direct outcome of the urbanization which results in the continuous depletion of natural energy reserves. The existence of carbon dioxide in the ecosystem is primarily due to the fossil fuel combustion from the variety of energy-driven vehicles. Hence, to reduce its levels in the atmosphere and to prevent the depletion of non-renewable resources, scientific researchers have made significant attempts to provide alternate and sustainable ways of producing energy. One such noteworthy effort is the biofuel production from the microalgae that ...

The utilization of renewable fuel alternatives holds promise for reducing the financial burden of regulatory compliance and the social responsibility associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is one of the most versatile technologies for converting renewable biomass feedstocks (especially in the wet state) into biofuel (biocrude oil) in a compact plant. Therefore, this review is devoted to thoroughly reviewing and critically discussing biocrude oil production from biomass feedstocks through the HTL process. This review starts by discussing the principles of biom...

Sustainable technologies pave the way to address future energy demand by converting lignocellulosic biomass into fuels, carbon-neutral materials, and chemicals which might replace fossil fuels. Thermochemical and biochemical technologies are conventional methods that convert biomass into value-added products. To enhance biofuel production, the existing technologies should be upgraded using advanced processes. In this regard, the present review explores the advanced technologies of thermochemical processes such as plasma technology, hydrothermal treatment, microwave-based processing, microbial-...

The present review article aims to study different aspects involving ethanol combustion and utilization. The review deals with the production and sustainability of corn-based and sugarcane-based ethanol as a starting point to present ethanol as a renewable and sustainable biofuel. The second step is to present the current understanding of ethanol combustion, regarding the application of thermodynamic theory and detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms to model the combustion processes. The utilization of ethanol implies consideration of safety parameters related to its combustion. Therefore, a sec...

Necessity and exploitation of fossil fuels is unstoppable in meeting humanity's needs despite being a small and scarce resource. The use of different renewable feedstock materials are vital in the satisfaction of large-scale demand for renewable energy sources without creating environmental problems in order to satisfy energy demand. In this context we covered the production of biofuels from a variety of feedstocks using pyrolysis, direct blending, micro-emulsion, trans-esterification (biodiesel production techniques) and hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, methanogenesis (biogas productio...

Abstract Microalgae are biological sources with an extensive range of biotechnological applications, e.g., for bioremediation of industrial and municipal wastes. Microalgae are used to monitor environmental toxicants like pesticides, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals and in the final stage of wastewater treatment when organic pollution should be removed. CO 2 capturing is also important due to the environmental issues. Macro/microalgae cultures, depending on their growth stages and life cycles, have great potential for CO 2 fixation. They are a dominant group of microorganisms for biological t...

Ongoing progress in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and catalysis continues to produce a diverse array of advanced biofuels with complex molecular structure and functional groups. In order to integrate biofuels into existing combustion systems, and to optimize the design of next-generation combustion systems, understanding connections between molecular structure and ignition at low-temperature conditions (< 1000 K) remains a priority that is addressed in part using chemical kinetics modeling. The development of predictive models relies on detailed information, derived from experim...