|Biomass, such as grass, can be used to produce synthetic liquid fuel — bio-gasoline.
(Photo: National Renewable Energy
Researchers at the Florida Solar Energy Center will begin work shortly
on the development and testing of a new process to produce clean-burning
liquid fuels from biomass resources in Florida. The fuel-production
process itself is not a new technology, but the adaptations FSEC has
made to it are groundbreaking. In a process that is commonly used
for converting coal and natural gas into liquid fuels like gasoline
and diesel, FSEC will use biomass such as agricultural waste, crop
residue, grasses, and landfill gas to produce synthetic liquid fuel – bio-gasoline – with
minimal environmental impact.
The three main goals of this project are to demonstrate the efficiency
and effectiveness of the technology developed at FSEC, determine the
level of performance of the bio-fuels produced through this process,
and gauge their potential as substitutes for every-day, petroleum-based
liquid fuels. This project is the first of its kind to adapt the specific
synthesis technologies, originally developed for making coal-derived
liquid hydrocarbons, for converting biomass feedstock to gasoline
and diesel range fuels.
Successful implementation of this technology would provide farmers
with new uses and markets for their waste and surplus farm products,
which could be converted into liquid transportation fuels. This FSEC-developed
process could also produce a useful carbon byproduct that can be used
to improve soil productivity. The project will ensure diversification
of farm products, and further enhance the role of biomass as a source
of fuels and fertilizers.