Biomass-to-liquid (BtL)

Lignocellulose provides the basis for this fuel. Straw, wood, energy crops, agricultural waste - nearly all sorts of solid biomass in the world can be considered for the production of BtL biofuel. To produce BtL biofuel, biomass is converted into synthesis gas, which is subsequently processed into synthetic biofuels. Just as in the production of bioethanol from lignocellulose, the entire plant is used for BtL biofuels. This increases yields, while at the same time reducing the land that needs to be cultivated.

BtL fuels also have a very special property: their quality is even better than that of fossil fuels. They excel through significantly lower CO2 emissons, zero emission of particulare matter, low NOx emmisons and an adjustable product quality (octane and cetane number). As a result they can be used pure or as a blend in vehicles without the engine having to be modified. MAN Ferrostaal is working to bring the second generation onto the biofuel market.