Challenges on the Quality of Biomass Derived Products for Bringing Them into the Fuels Market

摘要

US EPA recently issued the final rule for the revised Renewable Fuel Standard RFS Ⅱ (Renewable Fuel Standard). The main definition for a renewable fuel establishes the compliance for each part of its name: (i) to be a fuel and (ii) to be produced from renewable biomass. This paper addresses the challenges faced by biomass derived fuels on meeting the specifications of those fuels (gasoline, diesel and heating oil). Biomass-derived products contain oxygenates, some of which might enhance certain fuel specifications, but some others may have deteriorating effects. On the basis of available data published in the literature, the fuels directly derived from biomass pyrolysis have been demonstrated to be far from the concept of "substantially similar" transportation fuels. Upgrading is required to convert pyrolysis products into fuels that meet specifications. The economical viability of upgrading still faces confirmation, and imposes several technical challenges for truly attractive cost-effective approaches.