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The conversion of biomass to hydrocarbon transportation fuels presents unique challenges that generally focus on maintaining high mass and energy yields while removing oxygen from the biomass. Among the many processes proposed and demonstrated, processes that can achieve this efficiently and economically will have a clear advantage. Currently, there is no graphical method to analyze such conversion processes. In this work, we introduce a Funnel Plot to indicate both product quality, in terms of oxygen removal, and energy yield, the energy retained in the product oil from the original biomass. The Funnel Plot is applied to literature data for several processes and compared to an idealized chemical conversion of biomass revealing some of the current challenges associated with biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Empty fruit bunch (EFB) from oil palm is one of the potential biomass to produce biofuels like bio-oil due to its abundant supply and favorable physicochemical characteristics. Confirming the assertion, this paper presents an overview of EFB as a feedstock for bio-oil production. The fundamental characteristics of EFB in terms of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and chemical composition, as well as the recent advances in EFB conversion processes for bio-oil production like pyrolysis and solvolysis are outlined and discussed. A comparison of properties in terms of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and fuel properties between the bio-oil from EFB and petroleum fuel oil is included. The major challenges and future prospects towards the utilization of EFB as a useful resource for bio-oil production are also addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The black cumin seed cake (BCSC) is a by-product obtained from the black cumin seeds with cold pressing. This by-product can be utilized as a biomass feedstock for conversion to bio-oil with pyrolysis process. The BCSC samples were initially pyrolyzed on a lab-scale pyrolysis system at different values in the ranges of 300–800 °C and 0.050–0.300 L min−1 to determine the effects of operation temperature and N2 flow rate on the yields on products, respectively. Then, the bio-oil in the highest yield (wB = 44.37%) which was obtained at pyrolysis final temperature (450 °C) temperature, heating rate (35 °C min−1), particle size (dp > 850 μm), and sweeping flow rate of 0.200 L min−1 was characterized by Fourier Transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and column chromatography. Consequently, it was shown that the operating temperature and N2 gas flow rate parameters were effective on the product yields. Also, the important some physico-chemical properties of the pyrolytic oil obtained in high yield were determined as the calorific value of 38.48 MJ kg−1, the empirical formula of CH1.651O0.105N0.042S0.001, the rich chemical content containing many different chemical groups, and the density of 970.25 kg m−3, and the viscosity of 63.42 mm2 s−1. Based on the determined properties of the pyrolytic oil, it was decided that the use of pyrolytic oil derived from the BCSC may possible be for the production of the alternative liquid fuels and finely chemicals after the necessary improvements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sunn hemp (Crotolaria juncea), is a fast growing, high biomass yielding tropical legume that may be a possible southeastern bioenergy crop. When comparing this legume to a commonly grown summer legume – cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), sunn hemp was superior in biomass yield (kgha−1) and subsequent energy yield (GJha−1). In one year of the study after 12 weeks of growth, sunn hemp had 10.7Mgha−1 of biomass with an energy content of 19.0Mgha−1. This resulted in an energy yield of 204GJha−1. The energy content was 6% greater than that of cowpeas. Eventhough sunn hemp had a greater amount of ash, plant mineral concentrations were lower in some cases of minerals (K, Ca, Mg, S) known to reduce thermochemical conversion process efficiency. Pyrolytic degradation of both legumes revealed that sunn hemp began to degrade at higher temperatures as well as release greater amounts of volatile matter at a faster rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]