Abstract
Biofuel, a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally benign fuel produced from renewable sources, has been accepted as a sustainable replacement and a panacea for the damaging effects of the exploration for and consumption of fossil-based fuels. The current work examines the classification, generation, and utilization of biofuels, particularly in internal combustion engine (ICE) applications. Biofuels are classified according to their physical state, technology maturity, the generation of feedstock, and the generation of products. The methods of production and the advantages of the application of biogas, bioalcohol, and hydrogen in spark ignition engines, as well as biodiesel, Fischer–Tropsch fuel, and dimethyl ether in compression ignition engines, in terms of engine performance and emission are highlighted. The generation of biofuels from waste helps in waste minimization, proper waste disposal, and sanitation. The utilization of biofuels in ICEs improves engine performance and mitigates the emission of poisonous gases. There is a need for appropriate policy frameworks to promote commercial production and seamless deployment of these biofuels for transportation applications with a view to guaranteeing energy security.
Highlights
Accessibility to clean, safe, and affordable energy has a strong correlation with the quality of life of an individual
This study aims to provide an overview of biofuel as Energies 2021, 14, 5687 a form of renewable fuel in terms of the classifications of biofuels, as based on various defined parameters, their production, and the utilization of biodiesel and other renewable fuels for internal combustion application
Since the early 1970s, when the word “biofuel” was first used, authors have defined the term as: (a) a fuel manufactured either from or by fresh, living micro- or macroorganisms [12]; (b) a fuel made directly or indirectly from biomass [13]; (c) a liquid fuel obtained from biomass, e.g., biodiesel produced from fats and oils, biogas generated from animal waste, etc. [14]; (d) a bio-based fuel naturally obtained from wood and wood chips or agricultural residues or chemically converted from biomass to charcoal, biodiesel, bioethanol, and biomethane [15]
Summary
Accessibility to clean, safe, and affordable energy has a strong correlation with the quality of life of an individual. Both oil and gas could be exhausted within the 50 years while coal reserves can only last for the 115 years based on the current rate of exploitation [2,3] With these scenarios, research on the development of affordable and sustainable renewable fuels has been escalated to meet the present global energy needs without compromising future sustainability. There is a consensus of opinion on the need for more investigations to fill the identified research gaps on the production technologies and classification of biofuels and their utilization as alternative fuels in ICEs, bioelectricity, bioenergy, and other applications This forms the motivation for this present effort. The required information for this review was sourced from recently published articles
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