Rapeseed residues utilization for energy and 2nd generation biofuels A. Zabaniotou * , O. Ioannidou, V. Skoulou Chemical Engineering Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Un. Box 455, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece Received 24 June 2007; received in revised form 28 August 2007; accepted 4 September 2007 Available online 29 September 2007 Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass is an interesting and necessary enlargement of the biomass used for the production of renewable biofuels. It is expected that second generation biofuels are more energy efficient than the ones of first generation, as a substrate that is able to com- pletely transformed into energy. The present study is part of a research program aiming at the integrated utilization of rapeseed suitable to Greek conditions for biodiesel production and parallel use of its solid residues for energy and second generation biofuels production. In that context, fast pyrolysis at high temperature and fixed bed air gasification of the rapeseed residues were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study were also carried out. The obtained results indicated that high temperature pyrolysis could produces higher yields of syngas and hydrogen production comparing to air fixed bed gasification. Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Rapeseed residues; Biofuels; Pyrolysis; Gasification; Kinetics 1. Introduction Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 8 May 2003 aims at promoting the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels to replace diesel or gaso- line for transport in each Member State, with a view to contributing to objectives such as meeting climate change commitments, as well as promoting environmental-friendly security of supply and renewable energy sources. In this context, Member States should ensure that a minimum share of biofuels or other renewable fuels is placed on their markets and, to that effect, they shall set national indicative targets. However, the first generation biofuels seem to create some scepticism to scientists. There are concerns about environmental impacts and carbon balances, which set lim- its in the increasing production of biofuels of 1st generation. Additionally, both biodiesel and bioethanol are expensive options for climate mitigation as compared to biomass for heat and power generation. Bomb et al. [1] claimed that environmental impacts asso- ciated with energy crops require sustained investigation since the environmental impacts and carbon balances of biofuels depend on feedstocks and the way they are farmed, processed and distributed. Biodiesel and bioethanol in the EU has been calculated to result in 15–70% greenhouse gas savings when compared to fossil fuels [2], while bioeth- anol from Brazil results in over 90% greenhouse gas savings [3]. Frondel et al. [4] based on a survey of recent empirical studies, found that the energy and greenhouse gas balances of rapeseed-based biodiesel is clearly positive but it appears to be unclear whether the overall environmental balance is also positive. Additionally, they claimed that biodiesel is not a cost-efficient emission abatement strategy. Thus, for the abatement of greenhouse gases, they recommend more efficient alternatives based on both renewable and conven- tional technologies. Besides, the agricultural rapeseed production capaci- ties for example in Germany, which is the country with the highest rapeseed production, are almost exhausted 0016-2361/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2007.09.003 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +30 2310 99 62 74; fax: +30 2310 99 62 09. E-mail address: sonia@cheng.auth.gr (A. Zabaniotou). www.fuelfirst.com Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Fuel 87 (2008) 1492–1502