Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8.7
Road map of potential development pathways for first and second generation biofuels,
including implications for different markets
Source: REFUEL. http://www.refuel.eu/fileadmin/refuel/user/docs/REFUEL_final_road_map.pdf.
Reproduced with permission of Marc Londo.
8.2.2.1 Biofuels Prepared by Chemical Conversion
Biodiesel from Non-edible Feedstocks (Via Transesterification)
Biodiesel from Non-food Crops
A second type of feedstock becoming relevant for the production of biodiesel is
the so-called non-edible raw materials including non-food crops and waste oils and
fats. Non-food crops, generally not suitable for human consumption or animal feed,
have comparable or even higher oil yields (27-40% w/w) and lower resource con-
sumption (i.e. cultivation inputs) than conventional 'food' crops [62], making then
specially suitable for a more sustainable biodiesel production, in terms of a more
efficient use of resources, minimal interaction with food crops and expected lower
environmental impact [63].
Examples of these crops including
Brassica carinata
[64-67] and
Jatropha
curcas
[63, 66-68] for the preparation of biodiesel have recently been reported.
Jatropha
is a particularly good example of a non-food crop for biofuel production
since it thrives on poor soil and land unsuitable for food crops, actually creating
topsoil, and gives a high oil yield.
The preparation of biodiesel from non-food crops is very similar to the chemical
transformations (transesterifications) previously described for the use of traditional
vegetable oils from food crops. Brazil opened in summer 2007 its first commercial
Jatropha biodiesel facility (Compahnhia Productora de Biodiesel de Tocantins) with
an estimated production of 40,000 tonnes biodiesel/year by the end of 2008 [69].
Some other
Brassica
and
Jatropha
projects including pilot plants in India, Africa
and South America are also ongoing.
