Biobutanol Fuel Production from Biomass

There is no doubt that plenteous biomass wastes from homes and industry are improperly disposed those becoming potential environmental problem. It is assessed the world yearly deposit of collected waste at between 2.5 and 4 billion metric tons (depends of source). Additionally, food industry generates million tones tones of corn and sugarcane by-products that are currently of limited use. Food roting releases methane, the most damaging gas for the environment. These various forms of biomass are inexpensive feedstock for pletntious of useful chemicals, hydrogen fuel and power grade alcohol fuel (biobutanol) production. Proper waste treatment can contribute to decrease energy dependence of fossil fuel.

Biobutanol is, simply, butanol. It is an alcohol same as ethanol and methanol. However, biobutanol is more appropriate as a fuel for engines than it is ethanol. In facts, chemical characteristics, energy content, octane number, vapor pressure and all other technical parameters of biobutanol fuel more corresponding to gasoline, so it can be combusted in engines meant for gasoline use, without any modifications. Biobutanol better absorbs water contamination and is less corrosive than ethanol. Adventitiously, biobutanol can be blended into gasoline at any ratio, so standard gasoline powered vehicles and all those small engines can run. Butanol is less likely to separate from mixture than ethanol blended with gasoline.
Using biobutanol in engines meant for gasoline use would, based on energy content and density, increase consumption 10% -12%. I could not find any scientific study of biobutanol fuel economy. Take in consider that current commercial price of biobutanol (or petroleum butanol) is about 3.3$ a gallon 0.87$ a liter, we are able to calculate simple economy analyses:
USA - Current average commercial price of gasoline is 2.5$-3$ per gallon i.e. 0.66$-0.8$ / liter
EU - Current average commercial price of gasoline is 1.4$-2$ per liter i.e. 5.3$ - 7.6$ per gallon

We have conclusion, based on current prices, that biobutanol blends price reach to gasoline price in Europe, but decrease mileage in USA. Similar conclusion would appear for biobutanol economy comparison for any other part of the world. Its economy depends on fossil fuel price. Current worldwide market is estimated on 370 million gallons per year (biobutanol and petro butanol). The market demand is expected to increase if green butanol can be produced more economically from wasted or lower cost biomass.
Chemically, Butanol or butyl alcohol is formulated as C4H9OH. The formula can refer to any of the four isomeric alcohols: n-Butanol, Isobutanol, sec-Butanol, or tert-Butanol. Usually, there are continual transformations of isomers. Fuel characteristics of any of them are the same.
Biobutanol can be produced by several methods. The oldest is a fermentation of biomass by the A.B.E. Process as a byproduct from acetone production process from stretch using the bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum. The process also creates a recoverable amount of another byproduct - hydrogen. The difference from ethanol production is primarily in the fermentation of the feedstock and minor changes in distillation. The second process of Biobutanol production is from algae (Solalgal Fuel) wich convert solar energy into fuel. There are expansion of scientific studies of Solalgas Fuel, as a process of the future.

Biobutanol Production by Biomass/ Syngas Fermentation

ABE fermentation derived from Acetone – Butanol – Ethanol fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum is long time in use but it has declined continuously since the end of World War II, and almost all butanol is now produced from petrochemicals. In conventional ABE fermentations, the biobutanol yield from glucose is low, usually up to 20 percent from feedstock-glucose. Entire the last decade, there have been many attempts to improve biobutanol production in ABE fermentation, but despite many efforts, the best results ever obtained for ABE fermentations to date are still less than 25 percent from glucose. Therefore, a new fermentation process is being developed using bacterias Clostridium tyrobutyricum and Clostridium acetobutylicum. The process is more productive, and increase biobutanol production to about 40% from glucose.

Biobutanol can be also yielded by Fermentation of Syngas obtained from municipal waste, varying types of biomasses, coal and crude oil. That fermentation is done by Acetogens, a diverse group of microorganisms. During the processing, the microorganisms transform carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from syngas into acids and alcohols, bioethanol and biobutanol more efficiently then ABE Fermentation. Nowadays, there are numerous studies of syngas conversion efficiency into biofuel, especially, into biobutanol as the most suitable for internal engines combustion.

Biobutanol Production from Algae
Biobutanol can be yielded from algae using solar energy. During photosynthesis, algae and other photosynthetic organisms capture carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into free oxygen and useful biomass which can be fermented and distilled by classic methods.

Parallel review of Properties at standard temperature: BioButanol, BioEthanol and Gasoline

• Energy density: BioButanol 29MJ/lit; Gasoline: 32MJ/lit; BioEthanol: 19.5MJ/lit;

• Density: BioButanol 810 kg/m3; Gasoline: 720-780kg/m3; BioEthanol: 790kg/m3;

• Heat of vaporization: BioButanol 0.43MJ/kg ; Gasoline: 0.36 MJ/kg; BioEthanol: 0.92 MJ/kg;

• Vapor Pressure: BioButanol 810 kg/m3; Gasoline: about 60 kPa; BioEthanol: 790kg/m3;

• RON (octane number): BioButanol 96; Gasoline: 92 - 98; BioEthanol: 102;

Today, biobutanol can not be economically viable as a fuel. In fact, it costs more then gasoline or diesel. Relatively inefficient manufacturing process and low yield create his high price. Scientific efforts and dedicated research may develop the new techniques. Its will reduce production costs and enable us to drive the clean.