Title : Biofuels from simple raw materials to advanced technologies
Abstract:
Biomass is a renewable source of energy that includes biodegradable matter of plant and animal origin, in which solar energy is stored through the process of photosynthesis. The process of producing biofuels from biomass involves a range of diverse conversion methods, which depend both on the type of feedstock used and the desired final product. There are three main groups of biofuels: solid, liquid and gaseous. Depending on the applied technology and the origin of raw materials, biofuels are classified into three main generations: first, second, and third. First-generation biofuels, also referred to as conventional biofuels, are produced from edible feedstocks such as sugar beet, corn, sugarcane, and starch-rich crops like potatoes, as well as from vegetable oils. These materials are primarily used to produce bioethanol and biodiesel. Second-generation biofuels are derived from non-edible feedstocks, including lignocellulosic biomass and various types of plant waste. Their key advantage is the lack of competition with food production, which makes them a more sustainable alternative. Third-generation biofuels include fuels obtained from microorganisms such as algae, which are characterized by high productivity and significant development potential. The production of biofuels from biomass plays an important role both environmentally and economically. It contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, enables efficient waste management, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. At the same time, it requires rational resource management in order to avoid negative environmental impacts and conflicts with food production. The aim of this work is to review new technologies used in the biofuel production process.
