2. Introduction
■ Biobutanol (C₄H₉OH) is an interesting biocomponent of
aviation fuel
■ It has several useful properties:
– Low heat of vaporization
– Less corrosive
– Not hydroscopic (i.e., attracting moisture)
– Combust well in thin air at high altitude
– Higher calorific value of 29.2 MJ/l
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Fig 1. Butanol Structure
3. BioButanol Production
Feedstock
Glucose
BioButanol
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Feedstock
Fermentatio
n
Pyrolysi
s
Sugarcane Juice, Corn
Kernels (Sugar source)
0-2 years N/A
Sugar beet, Sorgum
(complex sugar)
0-2 years N/A
Miscanthus, Switchgrass
(cellulosic technology)
2-4 years 1-3 years
Wood waste, Crop
waste, Poplar tree
2-4 years 1-3 years
Algae biomass 2-4 years N/A
Food processing waste,
household waste
4-6 years 1-3 years
Table1. Production of biobutanol from several feedstocks
Pre-treatment
Anaerobic
Fermentation using
Clostridium
Acetobutyicum
4. Biobutanol as a Component of Aviation Fuel
■ Current jet fuel countains sulphur, lead and bromine which are
potentially dangerous for environment and source of the fastest
growth of CO₂ emissions.
■ Recent research conducted by leading aviation companies indicates
that hydrocarbon biocomponents will be main biofuel for aviation
industry.
■ The technology path, recognized by different companies, incl.
Gevo, is the following
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Biomass Biobutanol Biobutene
Synthetic
Bio-Jet fuel
5. Influence of Biobutanol in Aviation Fuel
■ Research conducted by Dziegielewski, et al. at Air Force Institute ofTechnology,
Poland (2014)
■ They experimented by adding 5% - 20% biobutanol (Butane-1-ol and Butane-2-ol) in
Jet A-1 fuel
■ They observed the effect on 4 properties
– Kinematic viscosity
– Calorific value
– Conductivity
– Lubricity
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7. Influence on CalorificValue
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■ CalorificValue of
blend decreases
■ Calorific value
lowering is not
proportional to
butanol content
■ Different for
butane-1-ol and
butane-2-ol
10. Case Study
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■ In December 2014, the US Navy’s NavalAir Systems
Command announced its first successful alcohol-to-
jet supersonic flight, fueled by Gevo’s renewable
biobutanol.
■ This was the first aviation test program to evaluate
the performance of a 50/50ATJ blend in
supersonic flight.
■ This military specification would allow for
commercial supply of ATJ fuel to the Navy and
Marines Corps.
11. Recent Research
■ Gevo is currently producing biobutanol in Luverne plant,
meeting product specifications for direct drop-in
applications.
■ In Colorado,Alaska Airlines announced to purchase
Gevo’s renewable jet fuel and fly the first-ever
commercial flight on alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ)
■ The demonstration flight is expected to fly sometime in
mid to late 2015.
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12. Hurdles
■ Price gaps : 2 - 4times higher than the fossil
fuel
Major challenges in production:
■ High Prices
– Feedstock costs
– Incidental production batches
■ Low demand
– High price premium
– Concerns of Sustainability
■ Low supply
– Feedstock availability
– Upscaling challenges
– Financing technology
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High Prices
Low
Demand
Low Supply
Fig. Major challenges in production
13. Conclusion
■ Research has shown use of biobutanol in jet
fuel has no such negative effects
■ Using biobutanol in jet fuel will reduce the GHG
emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil
fuels.
■ This will also protect airlines from the high and
volatile fossil jet fuel prices.
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14. References
■ Dzięgielewski,W., et al. "Butanol/biobutanol as a component of an aviation and diesel
fuel." Journal of KONES 21.2 (2014): 69-75.
■ Hamelinck, C., et al. "Biofuels for aviation." Ministry of Infrastructure and
Development (2013).
■ Chemical Strategies Group, "Bio-Butanol:The Game Changer." (2013)
■ "AlaskaAirlines, Gevo to Demonstrate Renewable Alcohol-to-Jet Fuel in Upcoming
Flight." Biofuels Digest.Web. 7 May. 2015.
■ "BioButanol - Biobutanol Feedstocks Include Sugars, Starches and Even
Wastes." Biobased Butanol Info.Web.
■ "Sustainable Fuels." Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders. Web.
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