Advanced spectrometric methods for characterizing bio-oils to enable refineries to reduce fuel carbon intensity during co-processing
- Univ. of Florence (Italy)
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
A promising approach for supplementing petroleum-derived fuels to support reductions in green-house gas emissions is to convert abundant biomass feedstocks into renewable carbon-rich oils using pyrolysis. However, the resultant bio-oils contain various oxygenated compounds that can impart acidity, chemical and thermal instability, and immiscibility with petroleum derived fuels, necessitating further upgrading to derive fuel blendstocks. Co-processing bio-oils and petroleum-derived liquids in existing refineries is a potentially near-term, cost-effective approach for upgrading bio-oils while reducing refinery carbon intensities. However, one cause for hesitation in co-processing bio-oils is limited comprehensive characterization and speciation of the bio-oil components. Advanced analytical techniques are currently under investigation to enable identification of elusive species in bio-oils, enabling researchers to develop strategies to mitigate catalyst deactivation agents and contaminants. This review provides a brief overview of several analytical methods commonly used to analyze bio-oils and their limitations. In addition, advanced techniques currently under development are discussed to further elucidate bio-oil components that may limit its end use. This will help inform the technical and economic feasibility of co-processing bio-oils with petroleum-derived liquids, therefore, improving the overall downstream processes for biofuels blendstock production.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1784645
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5100-79817; MainId:39035; UUID:37d1e796-6093-4a9d-b117-c64114cb2d76; MainAdminID:24482
- Journal Information:
- Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, Vol. 57, Issue 1; ISSN 0570-4928
- Publisher:
- Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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