Biofuels as Heavy Fuel Oil Substitutes in the Maritime Sector: Findings and Potential Pathways

Kass, M.; Kaul, B.; Theiss, T.; Messner, J.; Tan, E.; Li, S.; Ramasamy, K.; Masum, F.; Benvenutti, L.; Hawkins, T. (2024). Biofuels as Heavy Fuel Oil Substitutes in the Maritime Sector: Findings and Potential Pathways

@conference{Kass-2024-3953,
author = {Kass, M and Kaul, B and Theiss, T and Messner, J and Tan, E and Li, S and Ramasamy, K and Masum, F and Benvenutti, L and Hawkins, T},
title = {Biofuels as Heavy Fuel Oil Substitutes in the Maritime Sector: Findings and Potential Pathways},
year = {2024},
month = {sep},
pages = {13},
publisher = {osti.gov},
url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c08873?ref=pdf},
keywords = {Forest Biomass, Wastes and Byproducts, Bio-oil, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Biodiesel (FAME), Chemical Upgrading, Thermochemical, Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions, Fuel Properties and Characteristics, Engine Testing and Performance, Ocean-going Vessels},
}

TY - CONF
TI - Biofuels as Heavy Fuel Oil Substitutes in the Maritime Sector: Findings and Potential Pathways
AU - Kass, M
AU - Kaul, B
AU - Theiss, T
AU - Messner, J
AU - Tan, E
AU - Li, S
AU - Ramasamy, K
AU - Masum, F
AU - Benvenutti, L
AU - Hawkins, T
AB - The United States Department of Energy has commissioned four national laboratories to evaluate the feasibility of biofuels in the maritime sector. This effort is briefly described including the overall project goals, structure and aims. The large two-stroke crosshead engines used to power large merchant vessels were of particular interest since they can burn lower combustion quality fuels relative to four-stroke engines. This characteristic allows for consideration of pyrolysis oils and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) oils which are feedstock agnostic and, in the raw state, are more economical compared to distillate drop-in fuels. Pyrolysis and HTL oils are collectively known as bio-intermediates since they require additional processing for use in distillate fuel systems. The key limiting feature is that these bio-intermediate fuels will cause asphaltene precipitation when blended with heavy fuel oils (HFOs) such as very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) unless they are upgraded to remove water and oxygenates. Economics are the key driver at this point in time, and preliminary techno-economic analyses (TEAs) indicate that bio-intermediates have potentially lower cost relative to other biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel. Additionally, life cycle analyses (LCAs) of feedstocks and pathways show the life cycle carbon reduction benefit relative to heavy fuel oils. In addition to TEA and LCA results, we also present on the technical feasibility of these fuels. These studies have focused on the properties of biofuel blends with VLSFO that are critical to the fuel systems of maritime vessels fueled with HFOs. These properties include the compatibility with fuel system metals, viscosity, and blend stability. Aging studies with blends of VLSFO with biodiesel, HTL, and pyrolysis oils are also presented. Future efforts being planned to conduct additional biofuel testing, including the use of biofuels as pilot fuels in zero carbon shipping options fueled with ammonia and methanol, ship-based demonstrations, and bioresource competition studies.
DA - 2024/09//
PY - 2024
SP - 13
PB - osti.gov
UR - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c08873?ref=pdf
LA - English
KW - Forest Biomass
KW - Wastes and Byproducts
KW - Bio-oil
KW - Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
KW - Biodiesel (FAME)
KW - Chemical Upgrading
KW - Thermochemical
KW - Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA)
KW - Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions
KW - Fuel Properties and Characteristics
KW - Engine Testing and Performance
KW - Ocean-going Vessels
ER -