Broadening the horizon for biofuels

New Zealand needs to explore novel sources for producing biofuels if it is to play a greater role in meeting our energy needs, according to researchers at the University of Auckland.

Professor Mohammed Farid, from the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, and PhD student Sam Behzadi will present this view at an international Chemical Engineering Conference "CHEMECA2006'.

Farid has been studying the conversion of tallow (animal fat) and vegetable fats into biodeisel for five years and has developed patented technology to process fats into fuel. This technology will lower the production cost of biodiesel in the future.

However, the reliance on conventional sources such as animal and vegetable fats is not sustainable long term. Farid says alternative sources that are cheaper and more abundant need to be identified. At present, New Zealand may only be able to meet 5% of its diesel needs through biodiesel, but much higher targets can be set if alternative raw materials are investigated.

Biofuels can be either biodiesel, made from fats, or bioethanol, made from cellulose found in plants. The government is considering raising the use of biofuels to 2.25% by 2012. Britain has set a target of 5% by 2010.

"Vegetable and animal fats are valuable food resources. We should be broadening our horizons by shifting our thinking away from using these resources to more viable feedstocks, which can increase our fuel production capabilities and reduce our reliance on crude oil," Behzadi said.

"Now is the time to start identifying alternative feedstocks such as microorganisms and crops that we can harvest in New Zealand for the specific purpose of converting into biodiesel. Then we can start considering targets of at least 5%, or even 10 or 20%."

Oils derived from algae, flax or similar natural materials that can be produced easily in New Zealand have been identified by Behzadi as possible alternatives.

"The cost of raw materials accounts for greater than 70% of the biodiesel production cost. For biodiesel to play an active role in our energy needs, it must be produced at a much lower price while still meeting international fuel standards," Farid said.

The 34th Annual Australasian Chemical Engineering conference will be held 17-20 September at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.