Where is biofuel used?
In fact, biofuel replaces conventional fuel 100%. It can be used for heating premises (briquettes, pellets, biogas), as fuel for automobile engines (biodiesel), or as another type of fuel. True, in this case, replacement of some mechanisms is necessary. For example, biodiesel is more viscous than regular diesel fuel.
The use of biodiesel as a fuel requires the installation of an engine capable of working with more viscous fuel. Another solution would be to use a mixture of biodiesel and classic diesel. All diesel engines accept this fuel.
Biomethanol:
Biomethanol is used as a motor fuel for internal combustion engines. The total share of the product used as fuel for cars and trucks is 20%. on the basis of biomethanol , which is an alternative to the use of heating oil, but unlike it, it has a higher energy intensity and does not require the use of special boilers. Among the striking advantages of this product, it should be highlighted: low carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and the ability to recycle organic waste. The disadvantages include: the presence of a colorless flame, which can create an emergency situation and etching of the internal cavities of carburetors and aluminum systems.
The technology for the production of biomethanol is currently not clearly established. A promising direction is the process of obtaining a product from phytoplankton through the biochemical transformation of feedstock. The conversion process involves fermentation of biomass and then direct oxidation of methane.
The advantages of this technology are obvious: fresh water and soil are not required. Phytoplankton has good energy output and is highly productive.
The scope of application of biomethanol is not limited to the automotive industry - the product is also widely used in the chemical industry to produce methylamines, formaldehydes, solvents, and is added to antifreeze and natural gas.
What technology is used to produce biofuels?
First of all, it should be noted that there are solid, liquid and gaseous biological fuels. For the production of solid biofuel (briquettes and pellets), agricultural plant waste (sunflower stalks, corn leaves, straw...), waste from the wood processing industry (chips, sawdust, bark...), and other plant waste are used.
At the first stage, the raw materials are crushed. Then it is dried and pressed into blocks (in the form of a cylinder or parallelepiped). To produce liquid biofuel, special industrial crops (most often rapeseed) are used.
Initially, the raw materials are pressed to obtain vegetable oil. Then a chemical reaction occurs with monohydric alcohols, resulting in biodiesel.
Almost any waste of animal and plant origin is suitable for the production of biogas. The raw materials are placed in a sealed container and filled with water. During the fermentation process, gas with a high content of methane is released.
Advantages and disadvantages
Many biofireplaces consume about 500 ml of fuel in one hour.
Taking this into account, after burning one liter of liquid, the resulting heat is equal to 6.58 kWh of energy. When compared with an electric heater, the efficiency of a biofireplace is equal to three such heating devices.
Please note: when a biofireplace operates, the air in the room does not dry out, but, on the contrary, is moistened, which has a beneficial effect on a person’s well-being.
The main positive qualities of biofuel:
- This is an absolutely harmless product. It does not emit harmful substances during combustion.
- No need to worry about installing additional hoods.
- The products of combustion of material in the furnace can be easily cleaned with your own hands.
- Biofireplaces are equipped with special insulation, which ensures a high degree of fire safety.
- There is no need to prepare firewood, which leaves a lot of garbage and dust in the house.
Minor cons:
- adding fuel is prohibited during the combustion process, the fire should initially be extinguished;
- liquid storage should not be near flame sources;
- It is also prohibited to light a fireplace with paper or other means; you must use iron lighters.
Biofuel received an opinion from the Ministry of Health, which was based on permission to use the product, because it is completely harmless. This is a great way to heat your home and create an unsurpassed atmosphere of comfort.
Watch the video, which clearly shows how to properly refuel a fireplace with biofuel:
Solid biofuels
We find a supplier of raw materials. This could be a sawmill owner who has a lot of production residues (shavings, chips, sawdust), or a large farmer who would be happy to get rid of plant stems and leaves. The main thing is to ensure a constant source of raw materials for your production.
We are preparing a production facility away from residential premises (production is quite noisy), and a dry storage area. We purchase equipment (raw material grinder, dryer and pressing and slicing machine). It's not cheap! But it will quickly pay off if you produce briquettes not only for your own needs, but also for sale.
We find potential buyers (neighbors, acquaintances or small businesses). This will help not only provide heating for your home, but also make a good financial profit.
Bio-based liquid fuels
We plant large areas of rapeseed, sunflower or soybeans. These are raw materials necessary for production.
We prepare a room for fuel production (large and well-ventilated) and a storage area. We purchase equipment. A press for squeezing oil, storage containers (not metal!), filters for purifying oil from impurities. You will also need methanol and sodium hydroxide.
Be careful! To produce high-quality fuel, it is necessary to observe all proportions during production.
We find buyers. Biodiesel fuel is well suited for low-maintenance tractor engines. Try to conclude a contract with a tractor brigade or a large agricultural enterprise.
Biogas production at home
- We dig a hole for the tank. The walls of the tank can be made of any material, the main thing is that it is airtight. The volume of the tank depends on your needs (from one kilogram of biological waste, half a kilogram of biogas is released).
- We fill the tank with bio waste (plant and animal waste), fill it with water and seal it with a lid (not forgetting to make a channel through which the gas will enter the storage container.
- Through a metal pipe we connect the biowaste fermentation tank to the storage container.
- We connect the system to a gas boiler for heating. Don't forget about pressure regulators. It is better to entrust this stage to a specialist! Improper operation of the system may result in gas leakage and explosion.
Biohydrogen:
Biohydrogen is a gaseous product obtained from biomass by biochemical or thermochemical methods.
With the biochemical method of exposure, the process of biomass breakdown is initiated by special bacteria. In the thermochemical method, biomass is heated to 800°C without access to oxygen. During the reaction, H2, CO and CH4 are released from the biomass.
Hydrogen can also be produced from sewage or seawater by certain species of green algae (for example, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii).
On an industrial scale, the use of hydrogen is limited, since when it interacts with air, an explosive mixture is formed, which is extremely explosive.
