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Fuels
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Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges
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Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges

A special issue of Fuels (ISSN 2673-3994).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 July 2025 | Viewed by 4872

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nikolaos C. Kokkinos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Ag. Loukas, 65404 Kavala, Greece
2. Petroleum Institute, Democritus University of Thrace, Ag. Loukas, 65404 Kavala, Greece
3. Hephaestus Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Ag. Loukas, 65404 Kavala, Greece
Interests: biodiesel production; biofuel production; biomass conversion; renewable energy technologies; energy engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global energy security, climate change concerns, and energy crises have motivated the exploration of alternative renewable sources of energy. Biomass is considered the only carbon-containing and plentiful renewable source of energy. The sustainable production of advanced liquid transportation and aviation biofuels using various second-generation feedstock could be a promising alternative. Catalysis is expected to be a key tool used for the chemical transformation of biomass substrates to advanced biofuels. The use of catalytic systems with transition element complexes can enhance the basic properties of the biofuel by producing a suitable mixture of fatty acid methyl esters, which cannot be produced naturally or via any transesterification process.

This Special Issue will approach advanced biofuels from its production stage until its property determination and upgrade. Expected outcomes include the following:

  • Studying new biomass feedstocks;
  • Examining various pathways for sustainable fuel production;
  • Assessing waste-to-energy processes and plants;
  • Applying innovative catalytic techniques for producing and upgrading biofuels;
  • Using several chemical analysis techniques for advanced fuel characterization;
  • Evaluating numerous advanced biofuels blends. 

Prof. Dr. Nikolaos C. Kokkinos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fuels is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biofuels
  • sustainable aviation fuels
  • fuel upgrade
  • waste-to-energy
  • industrial catalytic processes

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 3898 KiB  
Article
Research on the Combustion of Mixed Biomass Pellets in a Domestic Boiler
by Penka Zlateva, Angel Terziev, Kalin Krumov, Mariana Murzova and Nevena Mileva
Fuels 2025, 6(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6020040 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 26
Abstract
The present study analyzes the combustion process of mixed biomass pellets in a domestic boiler. For the purposes of the research, experimental measurements of flue gases are combined with numerical simulations based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Special attention is given to the [...] Read more.
The present study analyzes the combustion process of mixed biomass pellets in a domestic boiler. For the purposes of the research, experimental measurements of flue gases are combined with numerical simulations based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Special attention is given to the impact of the ratio between primary and secondary air on the combustion process, emission characteristics, and thermal balance. The results show that an air distribution ratio of 60/40 (primary/secondary) leads to more complete combustion, reducing emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), while also improving the efficiency of the boiler. The analysis of the numerical modeling results shows that CO emissions decrease by 12% and NOx emissions by 27%. The calculated model is validated using experimental data on flue gas temperature, oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, and combustion efficiency, and a high degree of correspondence between theoretical and actual measurements is established. The simulations reveal the dynamics of the temperature field, the movement of flue gases, and the role of turbulence in the combustion chamber. Optimization of the air distribution is proven to improve the combustion process and reduce the harmful emissions generated. The obtained results highlight the potential of mixed biomass pellets as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels, provided that combustion parameters are precisely regulated. They can serve as a foundation for the enhancement of biomass-based heating systems in order to achieve higher efficiency and environmental sustainability. A market research study is also conducted, revealing that mixed pellets are preferred due to their high calorific value, low cost, and low ash content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges)
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24 pages, 8961 KiB  
Article
Impact of Membrane Thickness on Characteristics of Biogas Dry Reforming Membrane Reactor Using Pd/Cu Membrane and Ni/Cr/Ru Catalyst
by Akira Nishimura, Mizuki Ichikawa, Taisei Hayakawa, Souta Yamada, Ryoma Ichii and Mohan Lal Kolhe
Fuels 2025, 6(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6010018 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane on the characteristics of biogas dry reforming (BDR) with aNi/Cr/Ru catalyst. We also clarified the impact of the reaction temperature, the molar ratio of CH [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane on the characteristics of biogas dry reforming (BDR) with aNi/Cr/Ru catalyst. We also clarified the impact of the reaction temperature, the molar ratio of CH4:CO2, the differential pressure between the reaction and sweep chambers, and the introduction of a sweep gas on the characteristics of a BDR reactor with a Pd/Cu membrane and a Ni/Cr/Ru catalyst. Through this study’s results, we clarify that the concentration of H2 in the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber increases with the increase in the reaction temperature. In addition, this study clarifies that the highest concentration of H2 in the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber can be obtained with a molar ratio of CH4:CO2 = 1.5:1. This study also clarifies that the highest concentration of H2 can be obtained with a thickness of 40 μm, a molar ratio of CH4:CO2 = 1.5:1, and a differential pressure between the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber of 0 MPa without a sweep gas, which was 4890 ppmV in the reaction chamber and 38 ppmV in the sweep chamber. Under these conditions, CH4 conversion, H2 yield, and thermal efficiency were 75.0%, 0.214%, and 2.92%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges)
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17 pages, 3087 KiB  
Article
Research on the Efficiency of Solid Biomass Fuels and Consumer Preferences in Bulgaria
by Penka Zlateva, Angel Terziev, Mariana Murzova and Nevena Milcheva Mileva
Fuels 2025, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6010017 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 705
Abstract
This study examines the qualities and potential uses of various types of biomass as fuel, focusing on wood pellets, sunflower husk pellets and mixed pellets. The primary objective is to analyze the thermal and energy properties of these pellets in order to evaluate [...] Read more.
This study examines the qualities and potential uses of various types of biomass as fuel, focusing on wood pellets, sunflower husk pellets and mixed pellets. The primary objective is to analyze the thermal and energy properties of these pellets in order to evaluate their efficiency and acceptance by consumers in the Bulgarian market. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are employed, revealing that the processes of drying and volatile substance release are accompanied by energy absorption, with combustion being the main stage where most heat is generated. The results show that wood pellets have 7.31% moisture, 0.72% ash and a calorific value of 18.33 kJ/kg; sunflower husk pellets have 7.62% moisture, 2.42% ash and a calorific value of 19.63 kJ/kg; and mixed pellets have 7.07% moisture, 0.69% ash and a calorific value of 18.05 kJ/kg. These findings indicate that the pellets achieve efficient combustion with minimal mass loss. The conducted marketing research reveals that Bulgarian consumers prefer wood and mixed pellets for their efficiency, although sunflower husk pellets are more affordable. Key factors influencing consumer choice include price, which is important for 51% of the respondents, and quality, prioritized by 34%. The conclusion of this study is that pellets are a promising energy source with good environmental and economic characteristics, and the results can contribute to the development of more efficient fuels adapted to the needs of the market and consumers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges)
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15 pages, 1812 KiB  
Article
Boosted Bio-Oil Production and Sustainable Energy Resource Recovery Through Optimizing Oxidative Pyrolysis of Banana Waste
by Rohit K. Singh, Bhavin Soni, Urvish Patel, Asim K. Joshi and Sanjay K. S. Patel
Fuels 2025, 6(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6010003 - 7 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1197
Abstract
The increasing need for sustainable waste management and abundant availability of banana tree waste, a byproduct of widespread banana cultivation, have driven interest in biomass conversion through clean fuels. This study investigates the oxidative pyrolysis of banana tree waste to optimize process parameters [...] Read more.
The increasing need for sustainable waste management and abundant availability of banana tree waste, a byproduct of widespread banana cultivation, have driven interest in biomass conversion through clean fuels. This study investigates the oxidative pyrolysis of banana tree waste to optimize process parameters and enhance bio-oil production. Experiments were conducted using a fluidized bed reactor at temperatures ranging from 450 °C to 550 °C, with oxygen to biomass (O/B) ratios varying from 0.05 to 0.30. The process efficiently converts this low-cost, renewable biomass into valuable products and aims to reduce energy intake during pyrolysis while maximizing the yield of useful products. The optimal conditions were identified at an O/B ratio of 0.1 and a temperature of 500 °C, resulting in a product distribution of 26.4 wt% for bio-oil, 20.5 wt% for bio-char, and remaining pyro-gas. The bio-oil was rich in oxygenated compounds, while the bio-char demonstrated a high surface area and nutrient content, making it suitable for various applications. The pyro-gas primarily consisted of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, with moderate amounts of hydrogen and methane. This study supports the benefits of oxidative pyrolysis for waste utilization through a self-heat generation approach by partial feed combustion providing the internal heat required for the process initiation that can be aligned with the principles of a circular economy to achieve environmental responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges)
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Review

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24 pages, 3795 KiB  
Review
Systematic and Bibliometric Review of Biomethane Production from Biomass-Based Residues: Technologies, Economics and Environmental Impact
by Gonçalo A. O. Tiago, Naresh P. B. Rodrigo, Gonçalo Lourinho, Tiago F. Lopes and Francisco Gírio
Fuels 2025, 6(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6010008 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1941
Abstract
Fossil fuels drive global warming, necessitating renewable alternatives such as biomethane (or renewable natural gas). Biomethane, primarily produced through anaerobic digestion (AD), offers a cleaner energy solution but is limited by the slow AD process. Biomass gasification followed by syngas methanation has emerged [...] Read more.
Fossil fuels drive global warming, necessitating renewable alternatives such as biomethane (or renewable natural gas). Biomethane, primarily produced through anaerobic digestion (AD), offers a cleaner energy solution but is limited by the slow AD process. Biomass gasification followed by syngas methanation has emerged as a faster alternative. This review examines advancements in these processes over the last decade (2015–2024), focusing on techno-economic and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. Techno-economic analyses reveal that biomethane production costs are influenced by several factors, including process complexity, feedstock type and the scale of production. Smaller gasification units tend to exhibit higher capital costs (CAPEX) per MW capacity, while feedstock choice and process efficiency play significant roles in determining overall production costs. LCA studies highlight higher impacts for gasification and methanation due to energy demands and associated emissions. However, integrating renewable hydrogen production through electrolysis, along with innovations such as sorption-enhanced gasification (SEG), can enhance overall system efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. This review critically evaluates the technical and economic challenges, along with the opportunities for optimizing biomethane production, and discusses the potential for these technologies to contribute to sustainable bioenergy solutions in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels and Bioenergy: New Advances and Challenges)
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