Progress in the production and application of n-butanol as a biofuel

Jin, C; Yao, MF; Liu, HF; Lee, CFF; Ji, J

HERO ID

1108011

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

HERO ID 1108011
In Press No
Year 2011
Title Progress in the production and application of n-butanol as a biofuel
Authors Jin, C; Yao, MF; Liu, HF; Lee, CFF; Ji, J
Journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Volume 15
Issue 8
Page Numbers 4080-4106
Abstract Butanol is a very competitive renewable biofuel for use in internal combustion engines given its many advantages. In this review, the properties of butanol are compared with the conventional gasoline, diesel fuel, and some widely used biofuels, i.e. methanol, ethanol, biodiesel. The comparison of fuel properties indicates that n-butanol has the potential to overcome the drawbacks brought by low-carbon alcohols or biodiesel. Then, the development of butanol production is reviewed and various methods for increasing fermentative butanol production are introduced in detailed, i.e. metabolic engineering of the Clostridia, advanced fermentation technique. The most costive part of the fermentation is the substrate, so methods involved in renewed substrates are also mentioned. Next, the applications of butanol as a biofuel are summarized from three aspects: (1) fundamental combustion experiments in some well-defined burning reactors; (2) a substitute for gasoline in spark ignition engine; (3) a substitute for diesel fuel in compression ignition engine. These studies demonstrate that butanol, as a potential second generation biofuel, is a better alternative for the gasoline or diesel fuel, from the viewpoints of combustion characteristics, engine performance, and exhaust emissions. However, butanol has not been intensively studied when compared to ethanol or biodiesel, for which considerable numbers of reports are available. Finally, some challenges and future research directions are outlined in the last section of this review.
Doi 10.1016/j.rser.2011.06.001
Wosid WOS:000298764100055
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science 000298764100055
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Butanol; Biofuel; Fermentative production; Gasoline; Diesel fuel
Is Qa No