Abstract
An accelerating global energy demand, paired with the harmful environmental effects of fossil fuels, has triggered the search for alternative, renewable energy sources. Biofuels are arguably a potential renewable energy source in the transportation industry as they can be used within current infrastructures and require less technological advances than other renewable alternatives, such as electric vehicles and nuclear power. The literature suggests biofuels can negatively impact food security and production; however, this is dependent on the type of feedstock used in biofuel production. Advanced biofuels, derived from inedible biomass, are heavily favoured but require further research and development to reach their full commercial potential. Replacing fossil fuels by biofuels can substantially reduce particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, but simultaneously increase emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), resulting in debates concerning the way biofuels should be implemented. The potential biofuel blends (FT-SPK, HEFA-SPK, ATJ-SPK and HFS-SIP) and their use as an alternative to kerosene-type fuels in the aviation industry have also been assessed. Although these fuels are currently more costly than conventional aviation fuels, possible reduction in production costs has been reported as a potential solution. A preliminary study shows that i-butanol emissions (1.8 Tg/year) as a biofuel can increase ozone levels by up to 6% in the upper troposphere, highlighting a potential climate impact. However, a larger number of studies will be needed to assess the practicalities and associated cost of using the biofuel in existing vehicles, particularly in terms of identifying any modifications to existing engine infrastructure, the impact of biofuel emissions, and their chemistry on the climate and human health, to fully determine their suitability as a potential renewable energy source.
Highlights
The School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
This nitrogen oxides (NOx) and RO2 radicals formed over the course of the multi-generation oxidation of i-butanol resulted in the catalysis of ozone formation, as they promote the production of NO2 in a closely coupled photochemical reaction cycle
It is largely accepted that biofuels have a great potential to help decarbonise the transport sector, but there is significant controversy surrounding how sustainable they are
Summary
The exponential increase in industrialisation, population and urbanisation over recent years has resulted in a global energy crisis and concern regarding the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels, including petrol, diesel, coal and natural gas, supplied 84% of the global, primary energy consumption in 2019, making them the dominant source of energy worldwide (Figure 1) [1], but at current consumption rates it is predicted that gas and oil reserves will run out in ∼50 years [2]. Mary energy consumption in 2019, making them the dominant source of energy world of 24 wide (Figure 1) [1], but at current consumption rates it is predicted that gas and oil reserves will run out in ~50 years [2]. An effort to mitigate the damaging of climate change to public health.
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