Biocrude: Fuel From Waste

I don’t think there’s much doubt that first generation biofuels are not the answer to solving the carbon emission problems that stem from burning fossil fuels. However, it looks as though there may just have been a major breakthrough in the search for a viable second generation solution with a biocrude that has been produced from green waste and paper.

Developed by the CSIRO and Monash University in Australia, the Furafuel process uses green waste such as forest thinnings, household waste and crop residues as a source for a biocrude which is said to be more stable than any being produced around the world. Dr Steven Loffler of CSIRO Forest Biosciences says, “the oil that we've made is both stable and also PH neutral, so the advantage of that is that it can be held in storage for as long as it needs to before further processing”. This is compared to other second generation biofuels which, when left in storage begin to thicken after only a short time into a gum.

Lignocellulose

The plant wastes being targeted for conversion into biofuels contain chemicals known as lignocellulose, which is increasingly favoured around the world as a raw material for the next generation of bio-ethanol as they are renewable and potentially greenhouse gas neutral. Materials such as lawn clippings, tree trimmings and other materials that households already put in their green bins for removal by local councils.

The Advantages of Biocrude Are Many

Some of the big disadvantages I noted in my earlier discussion about biofuels would be addressed with the development of this biocrude. Issues such as the food vs fuel crops debate and forest clearing for agricultural crops, both of which have the potential to be more harmful than the fuel they’re replacing, would no longer be an issue.

The development of this biocrude would also put another couple of entries into the advantages column. The source of biocrude could come from household green waste and paper, of which there is between 1 and 2 million tonnes going into landfill in Australia alone.

Add to this the plan to operate from small regional facilities close to the source of the bio-material converting it into the crude oil and then shipping the crude which would be much more efficient and would produce much less greenhouse gas emissions than moving the bulkier solid material to a large central facility.

Cost of Biocrude

It’s still very early days in this process and one of the unanswered questions that will be a huge factor towards the success or failure of the project is how much the biocrude will cost to produce. At this stage no cost analysis has been performed although Dr Loffler believes that it will at least be as competitive as current crude production.