Study of Novel Biofuels from Biomass - Methyl-Furans (MF)

Since a fundamental approach to identify and determine the reaction mechanisms in making furanics using fructose as the starting material has been reported by both Nature and Science as the breakthroughs in future biofuel production technology, in the real world, the fructose will come from biomass such as crop residues, forest waste, municipal waste and energy crops. The capability to work on sustainable feedstock and address those which have little or no cellulose within their structure is critically important in order to utilise a wide range of biomass sources for biofuel production.

This project will expand the previous work on 2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF), to cover the research on production technology converting biomass to furan series as well as characterisation of a more attractive furanic family member 2-Methylfuran (MF). Biomass derived fuels like MF is not the only product formed from the biomass conversion. Bio MF is produced as a mixture with other compounds, referred to henceforth as MF-c (MF compounds), resulting from the degradation of the original biomass. The present project aims to investigate systematically a whole technological pathway for the use and production of furanics (MF and MF compounds) as novel engine fuels via biomass conversion. The research will involve bioenergy and engine combustion technological areas and it will target the following specific objectives:
1) To investigate the behaviours and combustion characteristics of MF and real-world MF-c based bio-oil in engines using experimental and numerical approaches
2) To improve understanding of mechanisms for production of bio-oils with MF and MF-c starting with lignocellulosic biomass
3) To develop practical technology and process for efficient production of biofuels containing MF and MF-c
4) To investigate the impact of MF (MF-c) (including non-conventional emissions) involving health issues of users and CO2 footprint in the production and application of MF based biofuels

The research programme will consist of 3 main Work Packages (WP): WP1 concerns the assessment of MF/MF-c performance in engines as fuels. Fundamental theoretical studies will be carried out to investigate the fuel properties of MF and MF-c bio-oils and expanded knowledge will be obtained about the fuel in terms of ignition and combustion chemistry compared with main components of gasoline and diesel. Advanced optical diagnostics will be applied to study the spray and combustion processes of MF and MF blends. WP2 concerns advancement of MF production methodology. A variety of lignocellulosic biomass residues will be characterised for their elemental, physical and chemical properties and by using TG-MS techniques the optimal biomass type and biomass degradation conditions which produces optimal yields of furfural and furfural alcohol as intermediate pyrolysis products will be determined. WP3 is for assessment of the toxicity of MF and impact on the environment. It will involve experimental study to determine whether MF is genotoxic at low concentrations. The results, in combination with information about predicted levels of human exposure to MF would then be used to form the basis of a more rational risk-assessment of the toxicity of MF in humans and the safety of MF as an alternative fuel source.

The growing transport sector represents a significant proportion of the energy consumption and it has been reported that it contributed to over 20% of UK CO2 emissions. The technology roadmap is to shift to increase substantially the production of biofuels by using innovative commercially viable processes and technologies. The knowledge of the biomass derived Methyl-Furans (MF) as biofuels to be developed by this project will be not only to answer the questions from the automotive industry with respect to their interest in furan fuels due to their advantages in making the combustion engines more efficient and clean but also to explore the technology pathways for a low CO2 foot print using novel catalytic technology in biofuel production. At the same time, the research will assess the toxicity of MF and its furan family and respond to the concerns of the public on this issue. The outcome will have a significant impact on the current movement to new biofuels with a great contribution to the reduction of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions and thus contribute to the environmental protection.

This project will be a cross-disciplinary collaborative research involving Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Bioscience. It will also be supported by the best relevant international partners for collaboration in this field. The collaboration will include Fraunhofer, National University of Ireland Galway, Tsinghua University and will be supported by JLR, Green Fuels and Shell Global Solutions (UK) as local industry partners. It has great potential to develop international collaboration beyond the community of automotive engineering in the field of biofuel research and development, across the boundaries of the academic and industry. It will provide evidence in advancement of application of fuel chemistry and production technology in biomass utilisation and understanding of combustion of MF family as candidates of biofuels for IC engines. This systematic research will provide a large and comprehensive data base for the biofuels MF family and contribute to the expansion of the knowledge on MF production and application as biofuel candidates. The project will maintain the R&D of furan series biofuel technology in the UK at an international leading level, on top of the completed world leading work on DMF.

The progress will be closely monitored by industrial partners with the outcome at every step targeting the benefit in its application. This project will generate a considerable amount of knowledge to advance the biofuel research and development. The new knowledge will be exploited and used by industry partners. The benefits of the project will be passed to the public, providing a knowledge base in all the researched areas and contributing to the global strategy study for the sustainable production and use of biofuels. The know-how acquired in this project will be of direct benefit to the UK and European motor industries because any changes in future fuels will apply a significant influence to their business strategy and plan-making for future products. The project outcome may also help to increase the market size of the UK and Europe's biofuel industries. The project will put the UK's research on MF as a new generation biofuel in a leading position. The research results, however, will not be limited to the products of the industrial partners and shall be available for exploitation by all members of the consortium within the agreed distribution of IP. As the results of the research are published, it will be possible for all the other researchers to share the information about the new developments. Clearly, the beneficiaries of this first attempt to research the applications of MF and its family in direct injection engines will not only be the UK and Europe but also the international community and push forward the development of biomass derived biofuels.