Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass

The transportation sector cannot continue on its current path: The volatility of oil prices threatens the U.S. economy, the large proportion of oil importation threatens U.S. energy security, and the massive contribution of greenhouse gases threatens the environment. The development of domestic sources of alternative transportation fuels with lower greenhouse emissions is now a national imperative.


Coal and biomass are in abundant supply in the United States and can be converted to liquid fuels that can be combusted in existing and future vehicles. Their abundant supply makes them attractive candidates to provide non-oil-based liquid fuels to the U.S. transportation system. However, there are important questions about the economic viability, carbon impact, and technology status of these options.


Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass provides a snapshot of the potential costs of liquid fuels from biomass by biochemical conversion and from biomass and coal by thermochemical conversion. Policy makers, investors, leaders in industry, the transportation sector, and others with a concern for the environment, economy, and energy security will look to this book as a roadmap to independence from foreign oil. With immediate action and sustained effort, alternative liquid fuels can be available in the 2020 time frame, if or when the nation needs them.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Synopsis
Summary
1 Liquid Fuels for Transportation
2 Biomass Resources for Liquid Transportation Fuels
3 Biochemical Conversion of Biomass
4 Thermochemical Conversion of Coal and Biomass
5 Distribution
6 Comparison of Options and Market Penetration
7 Overall Findings and Recommendations
8 Key Challenges to Commercial Deployment
9 Other Alternative Fuel Options
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: America's Energy Future Project
Appendix B: Statement of Task
Appendix C: Panel Members' Biographical Sketches
Appendix D: Presentations to the Panel
Appendix E: Research Supporting a Landscape Vision of Production of Biofuel Feedstock
Appendix F: Estimating the Amount of Corn Stover That Can Be Harvested in a Sustainable Manner
Appendix G: Life-Cycle Inputs for Production of Biomass
Appendix H: Background Information on the Economic and Environmental Assessment of Biomass Supply
Appendix I: Modeling of Capital and Operating Costs and Carbon Emissions of Ethanol Plants with SuperPro Designer®
Appendix J: Resource Requirements for Production of Microbial Biomass
Appendix K: Nonquantified Uncertainties That Could Influence the Costs of Carbon Storage