Chemistry and combustion of fit-for-purpose biofuels.

Chemistry and combustion of fit-for-purpose biofuels.
Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2013 May 8;
Authors: Rothamer DA, Donohue TJ
Abstract
From the inception of internal combustion engines, biologically derived fuels (biofuels) have played a role. Nicolaus Otto ran a predecessor to today's spark-ignition engine with an ethanol fuel blend in 1860. At the 1900 Paris world's fair, Rudolf Diesel ran his engine on peanut oil. Over 100 years of petroleum production has led to consistency and reliability of engines that demand standardized fuels. New biofuels can displace petroleum-based fuels and produce positive impacts on the environment, the economy, and the use of local energy sources. This review discusses the combustion, performance and other requirements of biofuels that will impact their near-term and long-term ability to replace petroleum fuels in transportation applications.
PMID: 23664492 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Biology - May 8, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Rothamer DA, Donohue TJ Tags: Curr Opin Chem Biol Source Type: research