05.07.2009

The term BtL is applied to synthetic fuels made from biomass through a thermo chemical route. The objective is to produce fuel components that are similar to those of current fossil-derived petrol (gasoline) and diesel fuels and hence can be used in existing fuel distribution systems and with standard engines. They are also known as synfuels. Although the processes for production of BtL are well known and have been applied using fossil-feedstocks, such as methane (GtL) or coal, commercial biofuels based on these technologies are not currently available in the market place. Biomass to Liquid is one of the most promising processes available in the fuel sector. The greatest advantages of the resulting synthetic biofuel lie in the high biomass yield (up to 4000 liters per hectare), its high potential to reduce CO2 emissions by over 90% and its high quality, which is not subject to any limitations of use in either today’s engine or foreseeable next-generation engines

Organic non fossil material of biological origin constituting a renewable energy source

Natural gas can be biogenic (bacterial in origin) or thermogenic in origin. Two distinct processes produce hydrocarbon gas: biogenic and thermogenic degradation of organic matter. Biogenic gas is formed at shallow depths and low temperatures by anaerobic bacterial decomposition of sedimentary organic matter.

Thermogenic gas is formed at deeper depths by (1) thermal cracking of sedimentary organic matter into hydrocarbon liquids and gas and (2) thermal cracking of oil at high temperatures into gas.

Biogenic gas is very dry (i.e., it consists almost entirely of methane). In contrast, thermogenic gas can be dry, or can contain significant concentrations of “wet gas” components (ethane, propane, butanes) and condensate (hydrocarbons).

The theory that holds that living matter can only be created by other living matter; created from living organisms, such as fossil fuels that are believed to be biogenic in nature

Biofuels are fuel made from living organism or from the waste they produce and include wood, biogas, ethanol, diesel or other liquid fuels made from processing plant material or waste oil. In recent years, the term “biofuel” has come to mean the last category – ethanol and diesel, made from crops including corn, sugarcane (the most efficient source of biofuels) and rapeseed. Biodiesel is made through a variety of chemical processes. In principle, biofuels are a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional transport fuels and for many years have been thought to provide a small but fast-growing share of road-fuel supplies, and had been expected to make an important contribution to meeting growing fuel demand. However, the energy used in farming, processing and transporting the crops can make biofuels as polluting as petroleum-based fuels. In addition, there is mounting concern that biofuels may be contributing to food shortages

A clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources containing no petroleum. It is derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel produced from plants or vegetable oils and used as a motor fuel, usually when mixed with diesel. Biodiesel offers environmental advantages in terms of both vehicle emissions and the recycling of used oil.