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Process Technologies and Projects for BioLPG

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  • Eric Johnson

    (Atlantic Consulting, 8136 Gattikon, Switzerland)

Abstract

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG)—currently consumed at some 300 million tonnes per year—consists of propane, butane, or a mixture of the two. Most of the world’s LPG is fossil, but recently, BioLPG has been commercialized as well. This paper reviews all possible synthesis routes to BioLPG: conventional chemical processes, biological processes, advanced chemical processes, and other. Processes are described, and projects are documented as of early 2018. The paper was compiled through an extensive literature review and a series of interviews with participants and stakeholders. Only one process is already commercial: hydrotreatment of bio-oils. Another, fermentation of sugars, has reached demonstration scale. The process with the largest potential for volume is gaseous conversion and synthesis of two feedstocks, cellulosics or organic wastes. In most cases, BioLPG is produced as a byproduct, i.e., a minor output of a multi-product process. BioLPG’s proportion of output varies according to detailed process design: for example, the advanced chemical processes can produce BioLPG at anywhere from 0–10% of output. All these processes and projects will be of interest to researchers, developers and LPG producers/marketers.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Johnson, 2019. "Process Technologies and Projects for BioLPG," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:2:p:250-:d:197835
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kumar, Mayank & Olajire Oyedun, Adetoyese & Kumar, Amit, 2018. "A review on the current status of various hydrothermal technologies on biomass feedstock," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1742-1770.
    2. Pauli Kallio & András Pásztor & Kati Thiel & M. Kalim Akhtar & Patrik R. Jones, 2014. "An engineered pathway for the biosynthesis of renewable propane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qyyum, Muhammad Abdul & Naquash, Ahmad & Haider, Junaid & Al-Sobhi, Saad A. & Lee, Moonyong, 2022. "State-of-the-art assessment of natural gas liquids recovery processes: Techno-economic evaluation, policy implications, open issues, and the way forward," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).
    2. Natália de Almeida Menezes & Isadora Luiza Clímaco Cunha & Moisés Teles dos Santos & Luiz Kulay, 2022. "Obtaining bioLPG via the HVO Route in Brazil: A Prospect Study Based on Life Cycle Assessment Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Kimball C. Chen & Matthew Leach & Mairi J. Black & Meron Tesfamichael & Francis Kemausuor & Patrick Littlewood & Terry Marker & Onesmus Mwabonje & Yacob Mulugetta & Richard J. Murphy & Rocio Diaz-Chav, 2021. "BioLPG for Clean Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Present and Future Feasibility of Technologies, Feedstocks, Enabling Conditions and Financing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Iram Razaq & Keith E. Simons & Jude A. Onwudili, 2021. "Parametric Study of Pt/C-Catalysed Hydrothermal Decarboxylation of Butyric Acid as a Potential Route for Biopropane Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Kelbert, Maikon & Machado, Thiago O. & Araújo, Pedro H.H. & Sayer, Claudia & de Oliveira, Débora & Maziero, Priscila & Simons, Keith E. & Carciofi, Bruno A.M., 2024. "Perspectives on biotechnological production of butyric acid from lignocellulosic biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).

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