Search

The paper presents a feasibility study for applying bio-diesel in recreational boats in the United Kingdom for the purpose of rational utilization of energy resources and environmental protection. Biodiesel has been widely used to fuel diesel engines for onshore vehicles, particularly for agriculture machinery. Application of biodiesel for merchant ship propulsion on a large scale has been seen as not an option in the near future due to the lack of availability and supply chains of the fuel. However, there has been interest in the possibility of powering recreational boats with biodiesel in order to pursue marine environmental protection. The study reviews the current status of using biodiesel in recreational boats and analyses the market in the United Kingdom. Results on fuel availability for the sector, economic aspects and environmental benefits are presented. The paper presents a feasibility study for applying biodiesel in recreational boats in the [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Competing demand for land is driving biofuel and bioenergy research in various directions including macro-algae (seaweed). This paper reviews the main issues for the marine environment of cultivating and harvesting UK and Irish seaweed for biofuels/bioenergy, informed by stakeholder interviews. These showed stakeholders were sceptical of an offshore cultivation industry developing but generally considered inshore cultivation possible, while noting various practical obstacles and conditions. Views on expansion of seaweed harvesting were more divided, with research scientists being relatively cautious. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present paper describes laboratory based development and testing of a range of biofuel oils for use in domestic space and water heating systems. Using traditional heating systems commonly used in the UK and Ireland, as well as a little used combined heating and power system, experiments have been undertaken comparing the performance and emissions characteristics of three non-mineral based fuels: bio-oils made from virgin rapeseed oil, i.e. rapeseed methyl ester, recycled waste vegetable oil methyl ester known by its trade name as UCOME and modified waste vegetable oil fuel, known as BP100. Results of laboratory scale tests are presented which show that biofuels can achieve good results in domestic oil fired heating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A UK-based environmental sustainability study on bioethanol production from wheat straw was conducted using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. Five pathways with leading pretreatment technologies (dilute acid, steam explosion with and without catalyst, liquid hot water, and wet oxidation) were modelled using process simulation software AspenPlus™, and their advantages and disadvantages were evaluated from an environmental perspective. In a contribution analysis of the environmental profiles for the near-term prospective scenarios, results indicated that the enzyme is a main contributor in all pathways. In addition to enzyme production, acid catalyst and base for its subsequent neutralisation also cause significant environmental burdens for dilute acid and steam explosion with catalyst pathways. By comparing the five wheat straw production pathways with petrol, it was suggested that those using pretreatment with steam explosion, liquid hot water and wet oxidation can be environmentally favourable over petrol. However, a sensitivity analysis conducted by expanding the ethanol system boundary to include the consequential effects of removing wheat straw from the field, suggested an increase in the overall environmental burdens of ethanol life cycles but certain wheat straw ethanol pathway (i.e. with steam explosion pretreatment) still remain environmentally favourable over petrol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]