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Fuels Production

Production and utilisation of biodiesel from different sources is a relatively simple technology, particularly if waste oil is used. But there are other options with dedicated plantation, for instance, using jatropha or other crops producing oil-containing seeds. Traditional charcoal production from wood releases methane with a Global Warming Potential 21 times higher than CO2. Methane release may either be reduced by altering the production method or it may be captured for power production. Briquettes may be produced from sawdust, charcoal dust, degradable wastepaper and dust from agricultural production and, therefore, could constitute a final utilisation of waste material from wood related fuel production.

Description of technology

Biodiesel

Biodiesel may be produced from vegetable oil or animal fats, or from cleaning of waste cooking oil. Vegetable oil can be extracted from dedicated plantations, such as jatropha or other oil seeds (e.g. linseeds). Some of these crops are equally usable for food production, while others may be grown on arid lands with little other use. Animal fats may stem from slaughterhouses or facilities disposing of dead animals. Animal and plant fats and oils are typically made of triglycerides, a substance molecule consisting of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids. In a process called transesterification, alcohol (normally ethanol or methanol) is added to catalyze the separation of the fatty acids. The resulting fatty acid esters can be used as fuel in diesel engines. Most diesel engines can accept solutions of diesel and biodiesel; many may run on pure biodiesel. This pertains to both stationary and mobile engines, i.e. diesel power plants as well as cars, busses, trucks or boats. In the context of CDM, the biodiesel must be used in a captive fleet, i.e. a (large) number of identifiable vehicles like city busses or the trucks of a specific company or companies, to allow the generation of Certified Emissions Reductions.

Charcoal

Charcoal production is releasing methane – especially in the traditional open pits process. There are three phases in the carbonization process: ignition, carbonization and cooling. CDM projects are implemented in two different processes: 1) improvements in kiln design for better temperature control and greater control of carbonization variables which reduce methane emissions, or 2) capturing methane released from the charcoaling plant and combusting it to generate electricity (e.g. in a gas engine).

Briquettes

Briquettes can be made of all kinds of agricultural residues as well as waste from animal production. It can be manufactured using automatic briquetting machines or it can be made as a household ‘industry’ with manual presses, compressing the biomass typically in cylindrical shapes with a press that squeezes out liquids from the waste. The briquettes may be used as fuel in domestic stoves or at larger scales for power production, typically replacing fossil fuels.

Sub-types

  • Biodiesel
  • Biodiesel for Transportation
  • Biodiesel from Waste Oil
  • Charcoal Production
  • Biomass Briquettes

Methodologies

  • Biodiesel
    • Large Scale
      • ACM0017
      • ACM0006
    • Small Scale
      • AMS-I.H.
  • Biodiesel for Transportation
    • Large Scale
      • ACM0017
    • Small Scale
      • AMS-III.T.
      • AMS-III.AK.
  • Biodiesel from Waste Oil
    • Large Scale
      • ACM0017
    • Small Scale
      • AMS-III.H.
  • Charcoal Production
    • Small Scale
      • AMS-I.E.
      • AMS-I.I.
      • AMS-III.K.
      • AMS-III.BG
  • Biomass Briquettes
    • Small Scale
      • AMS-I.C.
      • AMS-I.I.
      • AMS-III.E.