Biodiesel is a promising fossil-fuel alternative that can push an economy towards energy transition by implementing net-zero emission policies. Over the years, many applications have been developed and implemented to secure feedstock and generate biodiesel. In this aspect, we have witnessed the research and development of multiple generations of biodiesel.
Currently, we are using the 1st generation biodiesel and are on the verge of introducing the 2nd generation prototype on a large scale. There is no doubt that the successor is always better in terms of proper combustion, engine performance boost, and GHG emission rate.
Let us do a 1G vs 2G biodiesel comparative analysis and understand their current feasibility.
1st Generation Biodiesel: What is it?
1st generation of 1G biodiesel is the pioneer of fossil-fuel alternatives used conventionally worldwide. It is produced from common feedstock like used cooking oil, animal fats, inedible vegetable oil, etc. The procured feedstock goes through a chemical process called catalytic transesterification to convert fats (triglycerides) into fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).
This generation of biodiesel uses the following feedstock and does not cause any food insecurity by consuming cultivable land.
- Used cooking oil
Waste cooking oil from commercial food manufacturing units, processing units, eateries, etc is collected as feedstock for producing biodiesel.
- Animal fats
Animal fats like tallow, poultry fat, and lard are animal-based feedstock used for 1st-gen biodiesel production. Tallow, poultry fat, and lard from meat processing units and other sources are procured.
- Inedible vegetable oils
Inedible vegetable oils like palm stearin, palm fatty oil, soya acid oil, or any inedible vegetable oil like jatropha, neem oil, and karanj oil are the best sources to procure biodiesel feedstock.
Feedstock is collected, purified, and then goes through a chemical transformation to produce FAME. It is then refined and made ready to be used with conventional fossil fuels.
2nd Generation Biodiesel (BHD): What is it?
2nd-gen or 2G biodiesel is the superior version of the 1st-gen one. It is also called biohydro-fined diesel (BHD). The reason why it is termed 2nd-gen is because its feedstock is diverted from food biomass (animal and plants) to non-food biomass.
This carbon-neutral fuel is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels and can be prepared from the following feedstock genres.
- Wood
- Forestry residues (sawdust, wood chips, etc)
- Algal oils
- Industrial waste
- Agricultural residues (husks, straw, stubbles, etc)
- Ecological biomass crops
- Perennial grass
- Non-food vegetable oils like jatropha oil, camelina oil, etc
This feedstock primarily focuses on the cellulosic derivatives of plants. This is why 2nd-gen biodiesel is also called cellulosic ethanol. This biodiesel production follows the same pathway of catalytic transesterification but the processing equipment is more sophisticated than the 1st-gen one.
1G vs 2G biodiesel: A Brief Comparison
Production Process
1G biodiesel, as mentioned, is produced by the catalytic transesterification of preprocessed feedstock. After transesterification, the products are washed and refined to match the industry standards by regulatory bodies like BIS, ASTM, EN, etc.
On the other hand, 2G biodiesel goes through transesterification after the feedstock goes through pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction. These steps of pretreatment of feedstock require a costlier infrastructure and thus, increase the price of 2G biodiesel.
Environmental Impact
1G biodiesel can significantly reduce GHG emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels. It is also a renewable source of energy that can reduce the overwhelming consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels. It does not cause any food insecurity by consuming cultivable land for feedstock production. All it uses are non-edible vegetable oils, used cooking oil, and animal fat residues. The only issue is the procurement of its feedstock volume compared to the current requirements.
2G biodiesel, on the other hand, can use forestry residues, non-food vegetable oils, industrial wastes, and other non-food biomass. It also reduces GHG emissions considerably and can promote better land use. However, the agricultural impact of 2G biodiesel cannot be ignored. Converting forest landmass for feedstock production can negatively impact our ecosystem. Investigating feedstock like microalgae and organic waste can open a sustainable way to avoid such complications.
1G vs 2G Biodiesel: Overall Sustainability
From the above comparison, we can clearly understand that 2G biodiesel is currently in its premature stage. Its implementation attracts costs higher than 1G biodiesel despite its energy production and carbon footprint degrees. On the other hand, 2G biodiesel is also called lignocellulosic ethanol. Producers can significantly exploit cultivable land for viable feedstock production and cause food insecurity due to its higher yield.
The technological challenges of producing 2G biodiesel are not ideal for growing economies. On the other hand, 1G biodiesel feedstock solves waste and pollution issues of 3rd-world countries considerably. Hence, it is a win-win situation for us to promote 1G biodiesel production to find a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and to save the environment.
Mag Tech: Get a Turnkey Solution for Biodiesel Production
Mag Tech is a decade-old flag bearer in the biofuel industry. Reach us to get deeper insights into biodiesel production and let us know your requirements. We bring innovation to the table and assist in formulating a modern biodiesel production plan suiting your requirements. Call us today to know more and get a quote you can’t refuse.
