Biomass Derived Transport Fuels via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
As part of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive, the UK has set specific measures to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the transport sector by 6%. Furthermore, as a UN member state, the UK is legally bound to meet, or surpass, a target of 10% usage of transport fuels from renewable sources in the transport sector by 2020.
However, there are currently two significant barriers to meeting these targets: i) the UK's transport sector only gets around 4.4% of fuels from renewable sources and ii) there is a 7% cap on the use of first generation biofuels, from crops grown on agricultural land, to preserve the sustainability of arable land and to ensure the impact on staple food prices is minimised. This means that non-food derived biofuels must be developed to surpass the 10% target, such as lignocellulosic biomass or other
unwanted, organic waste.
Liquid biofuels, predominately diesel and gasoline, have significant advantages over other renewable transport fuels owing to their high energy density and ability to be used in existing engines and distribution systems. Currently commercial diesel in the US and EU can contain up to 5 and 7 vol.% biodiesel respectively. This is because the composition of biofuels directly derived from plants depend heavily on the source oil, resulting in a wide variation in the properties of the fuel, such as octane
or cetane number of biodiesel and biogasoline, respectively.
Several technologies have been proposed to achieve a more consistent fuel e.g. enzymatic biological processes, fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal upgrading and gasification to form syngas followed by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction. This project focuses on the production of liquid transport fuels (viz. petrol and diesel) from biomass derived syngas via the FT reaction, known as biomass to liquids (BTL). Since road transport accounts for 75-85% of the worldwide transportation emissions, primarily using liquid
fuels, this is an area of significant interest.
The overall objective of this PhD research project is to utilise a small scale, integrated experimental workflow to study the production of transport fuels via syngas derived from woody biomass. The process will be studied from gasification of biomass through to the quality of the fuels produced. In particular, the effect of contaminants in the syngas on catalyst activity, selectivity and lifespan will be explored with the aim of developing a multifunctional catalyst suitable for use within industry.
However, there are currently two significant barriers to meeting these targets: i) the UK's transport sector only gets around 4.4% of fuels from renewable sources and ii) there is a 7% cap on the use of first generation biofuels, from crops grown on agricultural land, to preserve the sustainability of arable land and to ensure the impact on staple food prices is minimised. This means that non-food derived biofuels must be developed to surpass the 10% target, such as lignocellulosic biomass or other
unwanted, organic waste.
Liquid biofuels, predominately diesel and gasoline, have significant advantages over other renewable transport fuels owing to their high energy density and ability to be used in existing engines and distribution systems. Currently commercial diesel in the US and EU can contain up to 5 and 7 vol.% biodiesel respectively. This is because the composition of biofuels directly derived from plants depend heavily on the source oil, resulting in a wide variation in the properties of the fuel, such as octane
or cetane number of biodiesel and biogasoline, respectively.
Several technologies have been proposed to achieve a more consistent fuel e.g. enzymatic biological processes, fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal upgrading and gasification to form syngas followed by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction. This project focuses on the production of liquid transport fuels (viz. petrol and diesel) from biomass derived syngas via the FT reaction, known as biomass to liquids (BTL). Since road transport accounts for 75-85% of the worldwide transportation emissions, primarily using liquid
fuels, this is an area of significant interest.
The overall objective of this PhD research project is to utilise a small scale, integrated experimental workflow to study the production of transport fuels via syngas derived from woody biomass. The process will be studied from gasification of biomass through to the quality of the fuels produced. In particular, the effect of contaminants in the syngas on catalyst activity, selectivity and lifespan will be explored with the aim of developing a multifunctional catalyst suitable for use within industry.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509486/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 1855597 | Studentship | EP/N509486/1 | 01/04/2016 | 30/12/2019 | Janet Skitt |
| Description | The use of unsupported iron oxide based catalyst has been shown as a potential catalyst for high CO2 containing bio-syngas feeds. The catalysts are easily produced, have high inherent activity and can limit the need for supports and the associated loss of activity through metal-support interactions. The lack of supports also allows for easy recycling of catalyst material. A model accounting for density variations with reaction was also produced to model dynamic responses to inlet variations over a fixed bed. The inclusion of density variation highlights the temperature extremes that can be achieved with exothermic contracting reactions such as Fischer-Tropsch, and should therefore be included when modelling industrially. |
| Exploitation Route | Further research into fixed bed modelling. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Transport |
| Title | Dynamic Variable Density Fixed Bed Model |
| Description | A gPROMS model accounting for variable density caused by reaction over a fixed bed. Can dynamically respond to changes in inlet conditions. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Allows dynamic assessment of reactor behaviour with expanding/contracting reactions that is currently not available publicly. |
| Description | Discussions during Prime Ministers visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Prime Minister visited to announce the UK would have net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this I was talked with her and minister Claire Perry regarding my research into low carbon fuels. I was then interviewed by the local media on the same subject. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://imperial.ac.uk/news/191570/prime-minister-visits-imperial-uk-pledges/ |
| Description | PhD Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Awarded 3rd prize for my presentation on BtL via FTS during the PhD symposium. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Radio Interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | As a follow on to my talk with Theresa May and Claire Perry I was interviewed on IC Radio regarding my research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |