9 - Advanced biofuels: Deoxygenation and hydrodeoxygenation catalytic reaction

Abstract

For the past several decades, the consumption of biofuel has been accepted by the world as an alternative fuel for replacing fossil fuel in transportation sectors. Although biofuel production is proven as a sustainable fuel, biofuel properties cannot compete with fossil-based fuel. The oxygen content in the biofuel produced has cause limitations in their usage. Therefore, advanced biofuel has appeared to fill in this gap by offering oxygen-free hydrocarbon fuel, which is structurally the same as the structure of fossil fuel. Deoxygenation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions are the preferable routes in producing advanced biofuel. Although the production of advanced biofuel is still modest and at the research stage, it is important to look closer into the potential feedstock, current technologies used, pros and cons of deoxygenation hydrodeoxygenation and their challenges that arise with the production of advanced biofuel. This chapter provides a closer look at the issues stated above.