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Fuels
Special Issues
Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production
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Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 13847

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gaetano Zuccaro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nereus Bioenergy & Water - Parc d'activité, Dom. des Trois Fontaines, 34230 Le Pouget, France
Interests: biofuels; oleaginous yeasts; microalgae; mixed cultures; biological oxydation; fermentation; nanofiltration; anaerobic digestion; MBR; MBBR; microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Neha Arora

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cell, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Interests: algal biofuels and bioproducts; microbial bioremediation; multi-OMICS; algal strain improvements; outdoor cultivation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increase in anthropogenic activities has led to a corresponding increase in the demand and consumption of fossil fuels, causing serious environmental and political problems. In recent years, researchers and scientists have investigated these issues by identifying new, alternative energy sources and approaches. Although many questions remain unanswered, the promising conclusions of many works have shown that biofuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, bio-oil, syngas, Fischer–Tropsch H2 and methane produced from plant residues, micro- and macro-algae and other waste biomass using thermo-biochemical processes are an eco-friendly energy source. The production of biofuels and their uses in industries and transportation considerably minimize the dependence on fossil fuels. Recent advances in this field with the use of genetic engineering have opened up even broader prospects in the field of biofuel production. However, large-scale production is still a limitation, which is why it is essential to identify new technologies that can overcome this gap and thus meet current and future energy demands.

Contributions with innovative approaches to a process and a methodological perspectives, including papers containing energy and life-cycle impact assessments of the corresponding biochemical processes, as well as papers with an in-depth analysis of the metabolic and biological angles, are considered to be closely related to the focus of this Special Issue.

Dr. Gaetano Zuccaro
Dr. Neha Arora
Guest Editors

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

  • biofuel
  • biochemical energy
  • mixed cultures
  • metabolic engineering

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 174 KiB  
Editorial
Why We Should Support Biofuel Production
by Gaetano Zuccaro
Fuels 2023, 4(2), 261-263; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels4020016 - 15 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1178
Abstract
We are currently in a dynamic phase of civilisation, in which the technological progress that has drastically altered our lives is accompanied by other historical events that forcibly affect and will affect future choices [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 1908 KiB  
Article
Carbonization of Refuse-Derived Fuel Pellets with Biomass Incorporation to Solid Fuel Production
by Andrei Longo, Nuno Pacheco, Roberta Panizio, Cândida Vilarinho, Paulo Brito and Margarida Gonçalves
Fuels 2024, 5(4), 746-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels5040041 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 680
Abstract
In this work, dry carbonization (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets were conducted to evaluate the physical, chemical, and fuel properties of the produced chars. In the dry carbonization tests, biomass sawdust was incorporated in different proportions on the [...] Read more.
In this work, dry carbonization (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets were conducted to evaluate the physical, chemical, and fuel properties of the produced chars. In the dry carbonization tests, biomass sawdust was incorporated in different proportions on the samples to minimize agglomeration caused by the melting of the plastic fraction. The experiments were carried out in a temperature of 400 °C (DC) and 250–300 °C (HTC), in a residence time of 30 min. The respective chars and hydrochars were characterized according to their mass yield, apparent density, proximate, elemental, and mineral composition, chlorine content, high heating value, thermogravimetric profile, and surface functional groups. The results showed that the dry carbonization of RDF pellets with biomass incorporation, followed by a washing step, resulted in the production of chars with improved properties such as higher fixed carbon and higher heating value (HHV) (25–26 MJ/kg) and lower ash and chlorine content. Additionally, the HTC experiments demonstrated that hydrochars showed improved properties without the need for biomass addition and washing, however, with no significant difference in the HHV (20–21 MJ/kg). Therefore, DC of RDF pellets with 10% biomass incorporation seems to be a promising option to overcome the constraints of RDF utilization as an alternative fuel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)
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19 pages, 4756 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxidized Beechwood Pyrolysis Bio-Oil as a Curing Agent of Bio-Based Novolac Resin
by Jie Xu, Nicolas Brodu, Lokmane Abdelouahed, Chetna Mohabeer and Bechara Taouk
Fuels 2023, 4(2), 186-204; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels4020012 - 15 May 2023
Viewed by 1889
Abstract
A bio-oil-based epoxy (BOE) resin was synthesized using phenolic compounds from beechwood pyrolysis oil. These compounds were separated from crude pyrolysis oil by coupling two methods: fractional condensation and water extraction. The chemical structure of the BOE resin was characterized by NMR and [...] Read more.
A bio-oil-based epoxy (BOE) resin was synthesized using phenolic compounds from beechwood pyrolysis oil. These compounds were separated from crude pyrolysis oil by coupling two methods: fractional condensation and water extraction. The chemical structure of the BOE resin was characterized by NMR and FTIR analyses. BOE resin was used as a curing agent of bio-oil glyoxal novolac (BOG) resin to gradually replace bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA). The thermal properties of cured resins and kinetic parameters of the curing reaction using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were discussed. Incorporating the BOE resin resulted in a lower curing temperature and activation energy compared to using DGEBA. These results indicate that the water-insoluble fraction of pyrolysis oil condensate can potentially be used to synthesize high-thermal performance and sustainable epoxidized pyrolysis bio-oil resins and also demonstrate its application as a curing agent of bio-oil glyoxal novolac (BOG) resin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)
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21 pages, 4243 KiB  
Article
Effect of Torrefaction on the Physiochemical Properties of White Spruce Sawdust for Biofuel Production
by Chukwuka Onyenwoke, Lope G. Tabil, Edmund Mupondwa, Duncan Cree and Phani Adapa
Fuels 2023, 4(1), 111-131; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels4010008 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2825
Abstract
Torrefaction pretreatment is a mild form of pyrolysis that has the potential to produce a high-quality raw material for making biofuel that serves as a replacement for coal in the bioenergy industry. Microwave-assisted torrefaction was conducted on white spruce sawdust (WSS) at temperatures [...] Read more.
Torrefaction pretreatment is a mild form of pyrolysis that has the potential to produce a high-quality raw material for making biofuel that serves as a replacement for coal in the bioenergy industry. Microwave-assisted torrefaction was conducted on white spruce sawdust (WSS) at temperatures of 200 °C, 250 °C, and 300 °C and retention times of 5 min, 7 min, and 9 min in an inert environment. The torrefaction process produces a solid carbon, commonly known as biochar, and condensable (torrefaction liquid (TL)) and non-condensable gases. In this study, torrefaction characteristics were investigated to observe its effects on the thermal and physiochemical properties of the pellets produced. During the torrefaction process, a significant mass loss associated with the decomposition of hemicellulose was observed. The hemicellulose content drastically reduced to approximately 1.8% and the cellulose content was reduced by approximately 10%, while the lignin gained approximately 35% as the severity increased. This led to an improvement in the higher heating value (HHV), hydrophobicity, bulk, particle density, pellet dimensional stability, and pellet density. However, the pellet tensile strength decreased as the torrefaction severity increased. Pellet tensile strength is a critical indicator of biomass pellets that expresses the force required to crush or damage a pellet. Therefore, to enhance the tensile strength of the pellets, the introduction of a binder was necessary. Torrefaction liquid and sawdust were used as additives at different proportions during pelletization. The addition of binders (torrefaction liquid and sawdust) to the pellet formulation increased the tensile strength of the torrefied WSS by approximately 50%. The OH groups in the biomass break down to a limited degree due to dehydration. This hinders the formation of H bonds, thereby increasing the chances that the pretreated biomass will become hydrophobic. The SEM graphs showed that the torrefied WSS pellets demonstrated more firmly glued surfaces with fewer pores spaces when set side by side with the raw pellets. The thermogravimetric analysis conducted showed that the torrefaction of WSS slightly reduced its thermal stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)
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23 pages, 1558 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Solid-State Fermentation of Switchgrass Using White-Rot Fungi for Biofuel Production
by Onu Onu Olughu, Lope G. Tabil, Tim Dumonceaux, Edmund Mupondwa and Duncan Cree
Fuels 2022, 3(4), 730-752; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels3040043 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2855
Abstract
Biological delignification using white-rot fungi is a possible approach in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Despite the considerable promise of this low-input, environmentally-friendly pretreatment strategy, its large-scale application is still limited. Therefore, understanding the best combination of factors which affect biological pretreatment and [...] Read more.
Biological delignification using white-rot fungi is a possible approach in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Despite the considerable promise of this low-input, environmentally-friendly pretreatment strategy, its large-scale application is still limited. Therefore, understanding the best combination of factors which affect biological pretreatment and its impact on enzymatic hydrolysis is essential for its commercialization. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of fungal pretreatment on the enzymatic digestibility of switchgrass under solid-state fermentation (SSF) using Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC), Trametes versicolor 52J (Tv 52J), and a mutant strain of Trametes versicolor that is cellobiose dehydrogenase-deficient (Tv m4D). Response surface methodology and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to ascertain the optimum pretreatment conditions and the effects of pretreatment factors on delignification, cellulose loss, and total available carbohydrate (TAC). Pretreatment with Tv m4D gave the highest TAC (73.4%), while the highest delignification (23.6%) was observed in the PC-treated sample. Fermentation temperature significantly affected the response variables for the wild-type fungal strains, while fermentation time was the main significant factor for Tv m4D. The result of enzymatic hydrolysis with fungus-treated switchgrass at optimum pretreatment conditions showed that pretreatment with the white-rot fungi enhanced enzymatic digestibility with wild-type T. versicolor (52J)-treated switchgrass, yielding approximately 64.9% and 74% more total reducing sugar before and after densification, respectively, than the untreated switchgrass sample. Pretreatment using PC and Tv 52J at low severity positively contributed to enzymatic digestibility but resulted in switchgrass pellets with low unit density and tensile strength compared to the pellets from the untreated switchgrass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)
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25 pages, 5028 KiB  
Article
Use of Biomass as Alternative Fuel in Magnesia Sector
by Nikolaos Margaritis, Christos Evaggelou, Panagiotis Grammelis, Haris Yiannoulakis, Polykarpos Papageorgiou, Stefan Puschnigg and Johannes Lindorfer
Fuels 2022, 3(4), 642-666; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels3040039 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3490
Abstract
The European Union has started a progressive decarbonization pathway with the aim to become carbon neutral by 2050. Energy-intensive industries (EEIs) are expected to play an important role in this transition as they represent 24% of the final energy consumption. To stay competitive [...] Read more.
The European Union has started a progressive decarbonization pathway with the aim to become carbon neutral by 2050. Energy-intensive industries (EEIs) are expected to play an important role in this transition as they represent 24% of the final energy consumption. To stay competitive as EEI, a clear and consistent long-term strategy is required. In the magnesia sector, an essential portion of CO2 emissions result from solid fossil fuels (MgCO3, pet coke) during the production process. This study concerns the partial substitution of fossil fuels with biomass to reduce carbon emissions. An experimental campaign is conducted by implementing a new low-NOx burner at the magnesia plant of Grecian Magnesite (GM). Life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to quantify the carbon reduction potential of various biomass mixtures. The experimental analysis revealed that even with a 100% pet coke feed of the new NOx burner, NOx emissions are decreased by 41%, while the emissions of CO and SOx increase slightly. By applying a biomass/pet coke mixture as fuel input, where 50% of the required energy input results from biomass, a further 21% of NOx emission reduction is achieved. In this case, SOx and CO emissions are additionally reduced by 50% and 13%, respectively. LCA results confirmed the sustainable impact of applying biomass. Carbon emissions could be significantly decreased by 32.5% for CCM products to 1.51 ton of CO2eq and by 38.2% for DBM products to 1.64 ton of CO2eq per ton of MgO in a best case scenario. Since the calcination of MgCO3 releases an essential and unavoidable amount of CO2 naturally bound in the mineral, biomass usage as a fuel is a promising way to become sustainable and resilient against future increased CO2 prices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies in Biofuel Production)
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