| EPSRC Reference: |
DT/E006272/1 |
| Title: |
Minimally processed biofuels for stationary diesel power generation with oxygen enhanced combustion (BIDOE) |
| Principal Investigator: |
Andrews, Professor GE |
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| Department: |
Energy Resources Research Unit |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 September 2006 |
Ends: |
31 August 2009 |
Value (£): |
257,605
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The processing of existing Biodiesel uses energy, produces CO2 and generates glycerol as a waste product (glycerol contains a significant proportion of the original energy of the bio fuel). However, Minimally Processed BioFuels (MPBFs) are hard to efficiently and effectively combust in diesel generators. As a solution to the combustion and deposit formation difficulties we aim to develop an oxygen enhanced engine technology. This project is aimed at the use of MPBFs so that the CO2 benefits are greater. Minimal Biofuel processing will only involve filtration and minor conditioning of the fuel. Our proposed technology will reduce the cost of power production by up to 39% (51/MW compared to 84/MW based on BOC's current energy costs). Legislative pressure at National, EU and global levels is increasing (Renewals Obligation, Kyoto). The proposed MPBF combustion technology is key to reducing emissions and enabling industry to comply. Growing legislative, economic and consumer pressure to create and utilise 'clean', CO2 neutral power is driving the need to advance and improve biofuel technology. Problems with current technology: a) Biodiesel processing uses methanol. This uses energy and produces CO2, whilst the manufacture of methanol also generates CO2 hence this is not a CO2 neutral process when assessed on a full lifecycle basis. b) Processing of biodiesel produces a by-product; glycerol, which accounts for 9% by weight of the materials used (approximately 222,000T/annum in UK) which has a high carbon value. This is rejected and hence energy of the raw biofuel is lost. c) MPBF's (to include glycerol and other potential biofuel by-products) are hard to efficiently and effectively combust in diesel generators d) MPBFs can cause engine clogging resulting in short term performance problems and permanent engine damage. e) oxygen enhanced combustion has been shown to increase NOx emissions. This fits the aims of the Low Carbon Energy call, by specifically addressing the need to improve: the understanding of how biofuels behave in combustion; combustion technologies that reduce CO2 emissions; the efficiency of resource usage; the understanding of biofuels impact on equipment performance and reliability; the supply chains for cost effective energy crops. The results of this project will be numerous: i) New methodology to research and characterise properties of biofuels for efficient combustion. ii) Increased knowledge of the combustion properties and characteristics of MPBF's in diesel generators. iii) New knowledge of the methods of and effects of O2 enrichment in the combustion of biofuels. iv) Prototype O2 enhanced biofuel power technology for the combustion of MPBF's. The industrial and commercial relevance of this technology is immense. The global diesel generator market is around 2bn and due to grow by 20% over the next 15 years. Whilst the global market for biofuels is set to increase exponentially over the next 10 to 15 years with UK market increasing 4-fold to 9million t/PA by 2010. Increasing pressure in the UK to use biofuels is expected to result in a global increase in demand by 2010. Our technology will reduce the cost of power production by up to 39% (51/MW compared to 84/MW based on BOC's current energy costs) & ensure users meet their environmental obligations. Legislative pressure at National, EU and global levels is increasing (Renewals Obligation, Kyoto). Biofuel combustion is key to reducing emissions and requires a combustion system to maximise power output and increase its industrial effectiveness and applications.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |