Abstract
Solid biomass and waste are major sources of energy. They account for about 80% of total primary energy consumed in Nigeria. This paper assesses the biomass resources (agricultural, forest, urban, and other wastes) available in Nigeria and the potential for biofuel production from first, second, third and fourth generation biomass feedstocks. It reviews the scope of biomass conversion technologies tested within the country and the reports on the technology readiness level of each. Currently, most of the emerging biofuels projects in Nigeria utilize first generation biomass feedstock for biofuel production and are typically located many miles away from the petroleum refineries infrastructures. These feedstocks are predominantly food crops and thus in competition with food production. With significant availability of non-food biomass resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and the petroleum refineries located in the same area, it is pertinent to consider expanding use of the petroleum refinery׳s infrastructure to co-process non-food biomass into bio-intermediate oil for blending with petroleum. This not only addresses the potential food versus fuel conflict challenging biofuel production in Nigeria, but also reduces the cost of setting up new bio-refineries thus eliminating the transportation of ethanol to existing petroleum refineries for blending. In view of this, it is recommended that further research be carried out to assess the feasibility of upgrading existing refineries in Nigeria to co-process bio-based fuels and petroleum products thus achieving the targets set by the Nigeria Energy Commission for biofuel production in the country.
Highlights
The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas for the conventional method of producing transportation fuels, chemicals, and power, has been established for many years [1]
Biofuel is an attractive alternative to substitute for fossil fuel
This review identifies the biomass resource available in Nigeria and the potential to use these resources to meet the country's biofuel demand
Summary
The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas for the conventional method of producing transportation fuels, chemicals, and power, has been established for many years [1]. Despite Nigeria having four petroleum refineries with combined crude distillation capacity of 10.7 million barrels per day (bbl./d) [13], an amount that far exceeds the national demand, the country still imports the majority of refined petroleum products This is due to the low capacity utilization of existing refineries [13]. This paper reviews biomass resources and biofuel potentials to produce transportation fuels, notably biomass resources available from first, second, third and fourth generation feedstocks in Nigeria. It assesses the biomass conversion technologies tested in the country, and the technology readiness level.
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