Butanol: an alternative liquid fuel

J. M. MARCHETTI

Advances in Energy Research. Volume 7

Novapublishers

Lugar: New York; Año: 2011; p. 551 - 565

Due to the fact of energy concerns, especially because of the need of finding a new alternative liquid fuel to substitute petroleum derivates such as gas oil, gasoline and diesel, new fuels are being under study. This search has produce several alternatives liquid fuels such as biodiesel (to replace diesel) as well as bio ethanol (to substitute gasoline). However, the demand of fuel is bigger than the available supply. Because of this last problem, other alternative energy source have been considered, such as hydrogen, wind energy, etc. Among them it could be found butanol a very important alternative to supply for liquid alternative fuel. Butanol, a longer hydrocarbon chain than ethanol, presents a lower polarity and, therefore, it is presented as a possible better alternative bio fuel since it can be produce from biomass. In this chapter, a comparison of butanol (bio as well as petroleum based) with bio ethanol will be presented. Their properties and production process will also be compared in order to show the advantages and drawback for this alternative fuel