Biofuels

Biomass

Organic material derived from plants or animals used for energy production.

Biorefinery

A facility that converts biomass into valuable products, similar to a petroleum refinery for crude oil.

Renewable Diesel

A drop-in fuel produced by hydrotreating biomass, different from biodiesel.

Ethanol

A biofuel produced from fermentation of corn and other starch-rich materials.

Billion Ton Study (BT23, 2024)

Estimates that the U.S. can sustainably harvest 1 billion tons of biomass annually.

Food vs. Fuel Debate

A discussion on how expanding ethanol production can impact food prices and global food security.

First Generation Biofuels

Biofuels made from edible feedstocks like corn, sugarcane, and soybeans.

Second Generation Biofuels

Derived from non-food sources such as lignocellulosic biomass and municipal waste.

Third Generation Biofuels

Uses algal biomass and CO₂ as feedstock, potentially exceeding earlier generations.

Technological Challenges in Biofuels

Includes high costs for second- and third-generation biofuels and issues with lignin inhibiting enzymatic breakdown.

Synthesis Gas (Syngas)

Produced by gasification of biomass.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

A biofuel substitute for jet fuel.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

Methane-rich gas produced from anaerobic digestion of organic waste.

Woody Biomass

Used as chips, pellets, briquettes, and charcoal.

Hemicellulose

A branched carbohydrate polymer that is easier to process than cellulose.

Lignin

Acts as glue in plant cell walls, hydrophobic, and an obstacle in biofuel production.

Louisiana Biomass Production

Louisiana has significant potential for biomass production and is a leader in renewable diesel production.