Rapeseed residues utilization for energy and 2nd generation biofuels

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 completely 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. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.