The
Center for Energy and Environmental Resources (CEER)
researchers in cooperation with the Center for
Electromechanics (CEM) and the Department of Mechanical
Engineering (ME) completed an assessment of non-traditional
biofuel feedstocks. (Download
full report) (26 Mb)
Suggested Citation:
Murphy,
C.F., O’Donnell, M., Alhajeri, N., McDonald-Buller, E.,
Strank, S., Liu, M.H-P., Webber, M., Allen, D.T., Hebner, R.
Analysis of innovative feedstock sources and production
technologies for renewable fuels, EPA Project Number
XA-83379501-0, Final Report to EPA, 2010
Life
Cycle Assessment Methodology for Transportation Fuels
David T.
Allen, Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 2 - (PDF)
Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a system-level view of a
process that considers all material and energy flows (inputs
and outputs) associated with a process or product. This
study focused on the process of LCA for greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions associated with fuel production.
Sugarcane Ethanol
- Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 3 - (PDF)
Sugarcane has been viewed as a significant success in Brazil
and is the second most likely source of starch-based ethanol
(after corn). But this is not a problem-free solution. As
currently practiced in the US, the cultivation of sugarcane
is extremely water intensive and a significant portion
occurs on organic soils in the Everglades. Burning is used
to facilitate harvesting and to increase sugar content, and
thus yield, but it also contributes to emissions.
Citrus Waste Ethanol
- Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 4 - (PDF)
Citrus waste is a potential source of ethanol that if not
used for a beneficial source of material would normally
contribute to the food waste stream. However, the total
available supply does not support volumes necessary to meet
demand so this will likely be at best a niche market.
Moreover, like cellulosic ethanol, the process to convert
the citrus waste to ethanol is not mature.
Cottonseed Oil Biodiesel
- Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 5
- (PDF)
Cottonseed, although usable for future cotton crops or as a
source of cooking oil or animal feed, is generally less
valuable than cotton fiber. Expansion of cotton growth to
meet demands for fuel is likely problematic. Even with the
advent of genetically modified seed, cotton cultivation
tends to require significant amounts of pesticides. While
there is a strong correlation between irrigation and yield
(irrigation of cotton can double the yield), only slightly
more than one-third of US cotton is currently irrigated.
However, increased demand for cotton products would likely
encourage greater amounts irrigation, which would have a
negative impact on aquifers. Growing cottonseed for fuel
production is also land-intensive. If all available land in
the southern US (approximately two-thirds of the total) were
converted to growing cotton, less than 20% of the current
demand for petroleum motor diesel could be met by cottonseed
biodiesel. In addition, the amount of lint created by
meeting cottonseed demand for biodiesel demand could
unbalance the commercial cotton market |
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Algal Oil Biodiesel
- Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 6
- (PDF)
Algal biofuel is currently of interest due to algae’s rapid
growth, ability to prosper in water of poor quality, and
possible higher productivity than any other plant-based
source of fuel. This study shows algae growth can require
significant amounts of water, energy to move water and high
value nutrients. Consequently, synergies such as those with
waste water treatment or agricultural runoff, ocean-based
systems, or heterotrophic growth are being investigated.
Gasoline and Petroleum Diesel -
Maureen Kaplan, Cynthia F. Murphy, David T. Allen - Chapter 10 - (PDF)
This section addresses the use of water associated with
gasoline and petroleum diesel. For analysis of greenhouse
gases the authors defer to the
National Energy Technology Laboratory report from 2008.
This work provides an important perspective for similar
considerations in emerging biofuels for which data are
limited.
Environmental Impact of Fuel Use
- David T. Allen, Elena
McDonald-Buller, Nawaf Alhajeri, Hsing-Pang Liu, Shannon
Strank, Cynthia F. Murphy, - Chapter 11
- (PDF)
Regional emission scenarios are addressed in this chapter,
which considers the impact of replacing conventional fuels
with biofuels in vehicles at rates of 30%, 50%, and 100%,
using emission characteristics published in the literature.
In addition, to provide a check on the emissions
characteristics measurements were performed using an engine
simulator. None of these scenarios showed a significant
impact on air quality.
Barriers to Biofuel Transitions
- Michael J. O'Donnell, Michael Webber, David T.
Allen, Cynthia F. Murphy - Chapter 12 - (PDF)
This study examines several historical trends in fuel
transitions, including the transition from leaded to
unleaded gasoline and low to ultralow sulfur for petroleum
diesel. There are always unintended consequences and massive
changes in usage patterns, energy consumption, and other
areas. This work provides useful insight on substitution
processes and likely transition durations.
Summary - Cynthia
F. Murphy - Chapter 14 - (PDF)
For further information
contact:
Cynthia F.
Murphy, CEER
David T. Allen,
CEER
Michael Webber,
ME
Robert T. Hebner,
CEM
If there are questions or
comments about the studies, you are invited to contact the
team leaders. These studies are being offered to provide a
better community understanding of the key concerns about and
impediments to the adoption of biofuels.
Although the
research described on this web site has been
funded by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency through cooperative agreement
XA-83379501-0, it has not been subjected to the
Agency's required peer and policy review and
therefore does not necessarily reflect the views
of the Agency and no official endorsement should
be inferred. |
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