Biofuels combustion.
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA. Westbrook1@llnl.gov
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|January 10, 2013
Summary
This review covers renewable fuels from plants and fatty acids, comparing their properties and combustion in engines to petroleum fuels. It highlights alcohol-based fuels for gasoline and fatty acid-based fuels for diesel applications.
Area of Science:
- Renewable energy research
- Chemical engineering
- Combustion science
Background:
- Growing demand for sustainable energy sources.
- Need for alternatives to petroleum-based fuels.
- Advancements in biofuel production technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on renewable fuels from plants and fatty acids.
- To compare biofuel properties and combustion with conventional fuels.
- To discuss applications in various engine types.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fundamental studies on biofuel molecular structure and oxidation.
- Analysis of combustion characteristics in different engines.
- Comparison of biofuel performance against petroleum-based fuels.
Main Results:
- Biofuels are categorized into alcohol-based (e.g., ethanol, butanol) for gasoline and fatty acid-based for diesel.
- Detailed review of molecular structure, chemical properties, and oxidation reactions.
- Comparative analysis of combustion performance in engines.
Conclusions:
- Renewable fuels offer viable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels.
- Understanding biofuel properties is crucial for efficient engine application.
- Ongoing research into advanced biofuel generations continues to evolve the field.
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