Solar energy could be used as the main energy source in a new process for producing synfuel devised by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
They believe that high temperature heat for biomass gasification can be obtained in a solar concentrating tower. Hydrogen for reverse water gas shift reaction is driven by solar power and produced by electrolysing the water, which prevents the production of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The key feature of the proposal is the use of high temperature heat from a solar concentrating tower to convert the biomass into a biofuel. By creating an easy to handle fuel with near zero CO2 emissions as well as reduced land-use requirements, this could represent a significant step forward compared to first- and second generation biofuel production.
Researchers have thus far modelled the production of methanol as well as methanol using only biomass as a fuel and also using coal as a source of carbon and energy. The solar-driven third generation biofuel requires only 33 per cent of the biomass input and 38 per cent of total land as the second generation biofuel, while still exhibiting a CO2-neutral fuel cycle.
With so little CO2 produced, capture is not needed – 90 per cent of total carbon from biomass is converted into biofuel and emitted into the atmosphere after use as a transportation fuel.
It is believed too that though the solar driven process has higher initial capital costs, these can be offset by lower fuel costs.
