BioSol as Biofuel
Beyond its traditional industrial applications, butanol is a promising biofuel candidate with more desireable fuel properties than ethanol and the potential to become a preferred alternative energy source if manufacturing costs can be lowered.
WButanol has a number of advantages over ethanol for use as a fuel additive or fuel alternative: higher energy content, lower vapor pressure and insolubility in water. Butanol can also be blended into gasoline at higher concentrations without retrofitting vehicles and offers better fuel economy than gasoline-ethanol blends. Butanol's low vapor pressure and its water insolubility permit transportation in existing gasoline supply and distribution channels without the need to modify blending facilities, storage tanks or retail station pumps.
The following table compares key properties of butanol and ethanol as potential biofuels:
Properties |
Butanol |
Ethanol |
Air to fuel mixture |
11.2 |
9 |
Energy content |
105 kBtu/gal |
78 kBtu/gal |
Corrosive solvent |
No |
Yes |
Transportation and distribution |
Existing distribution infrastructure |
Separate transportation and distribution |
Vapor pressure |
0.33 psi |
2 psi |
Standard car engine |
Higher blending concentration |
Lower blending concentration |
Gasoline extenders |
Better |
Good |
We are currently pursuing research and development of biobutanol for use as a fuel. We believe our early entrance into the biobutanol market positions us well to capture potential future opportunities in this area.
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