In the quest to meet China’s ambitious “dual carbon” goals—peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060—researchers are turning to biomass liquid fuels as a critical solution. Among these, fuel ethanol stands out as a renewable green fuel with significant potential to expand fossil fuel reserves and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A recent study published in the Journal of Engineering Sciences, led by Pan Li from the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering at Zhengzhou University, delves into the production processes, life cycle carbon footprint, and economic benefits of fuel ethanol, offering valuable insights for the energy sector.
Fuel ethanol, derived from cellulose in biomass such as agricultural waste and wood, is a high-octane, clean-burning fuel that is already widely used globally. “Its high vaporization heat and cleaner combustion make it suitable for commercial production,” explains Li. However, the path to large-scale production is fraught with challenges, including stubborn cell walls, multistep pretreatment processes, extended hydrolysis times, and high production costs.
The study highlights the need for innovative technologies to optimize low-energy, high-efficiency, and environmentally friendly pretreatment processes. “Future research will concentrate on developing a comprehensive suite of technologies designed to enhance enzyme formulation efficiency in biomass conversion,” Li notes. This includes creating cost-effective and high-performance hydrolases and employing genetic engineering techniques to cultivate microbial strains resistant to heat and inhibition, capable of efficiently utilizing both pentose and hexose sugars.
Life cycle assessment studies have shown that fuel ethanol plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and achieving net-zero emission targets. Second-generation fuel ethanol, derived from non-food biomass, performs best in terms of carbon sequestration, followed by first- and third-generation fuel ethanol. However, power consumption remains a significant contributor to acidification potential and global warming potential, indicating a need for new technologies or alternative power structures.
The study also conducted a comprehensive life cycle economic assessment, revealing that current pricing makes second-generation fuel ethanol more expensive than gasoline. This underscores the need to improve the efficiency and affordability of cellulase and encourage the production of high-value by-products.
The research published in the Journal of Engineering Sciences (工程科学学报) offers a roadmap for future developments in fuel ethanol refining technology. By addressing the challenges in production and optimizing the life cycle assessment process, the study paves the way for a more sustainable biorefining process. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights from this research could shape the future of fuel ethanol, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.