Author Archive: Jim Lane

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Control of Aldehyde Emissions from Alcohol-Fueled Non-Road Engines

September 21, 2025 | Jim Lane

This FY22-FY25 project, with $400k in FY24 funding, addresses toxic aldehyde emissions from low-lifecycle carbon fuels (LLCFs) in off-road engines. Alcohols like methanol and ethanol form less reactive aldehydes during oxidation. Stable formaldehyde delivery for experiments was achieved. In-situ DRIFTS analysis reveals highly stable formates/acetates on catalyst surfaces inhibit further oxidation, underscoring the critical need […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Contrail Modeling

September 14, 2025 | Jim Lane

This project, 33% complete with $400k in FY24 funding, aims to develop predictive chemistry and particle microphysics models for SAF contrail formation, a major climate impact driver (57.4 mW/m2 Effective Radiative Forcing). A multi-scale ice nucleation model is being constructed, using machine-learned molecular dynamics potentials that scale linearly for efficient simulation. The SAF Grand Challenge […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Implementing Low Lifecycle Carbon Fuels on Locomotives

September 7, 2025 | Jim Lane

This CRADA project with Wabtec and ORNL focuses on implementing low lifecycle carbon fuels, particularly hydrogen, in locomotive engines. A new research facility at ORNL’s NTRC is being established, featuring a Wabtec single-cylinder engine and extensive infrastructure upgrades for electrical, air, fuel, oil, and coolant systems. Hydrogen storage and delivery systems are designed. The approach […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Biogas Systems Developments and Flexibility

August 31, 2025 | Jim Lane

Biogas systems are proven, customizable net-zero technologies, feeding biomethane into existing gas infrastructure and treating diverse wet organic wastes. They offer high operational flexibility, integrating electrical and natural gas grids, and are generally cheaper than green hydrogen. Achieving flexibility involves increased CHP/gas storage capacity and production control, incurring higher costs balanced by benefits. Crucially, renewable […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioenergy’s Essential Role in Energy Transition

August 23, 2025 | Jim Lane

Bioenergy is crucial for net-zero, projected to comprise nearly 20% of total energy by 2050. Its innovative role includes decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and shipping, with usage doubling in industry and tripling in electricity generation. Key newsworthy aspects are its potential for negative emissions via BECCS and the IEA’s emphasis on developing a common […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to International Cooperation on Sustainable Aviation Biofuels

August 17, 2025 | Jim Lane

The ICARUS project, a €3.16M EU-funded initiative with global partners, focuses on scaling up sustainable aviation biofuels (SAF) through three pathways: biocrude oils (HTL), alcohols (ATJ), and syngas (FT). Innovations include optimizing yeast for direct isobutanol conversion from cellulose, developing new FT catalysts for liquid products enabling smaller plants, and enhancing biocrude pretreatment. It also […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Innovations in Sustainable Biomass Supply and Bio-hubs

August 10, 2025 | Jim Lane

The IEA Bioenergy Task on Sustainable Biomass Supply advances sustainable, low-carbon bioenergy systems by focusing on techno-economic strategies within existing supply chains. Key innovations include developing techno-economic models for “bio-hubs” to mitigate site volume variability and meet market needs, and researching integrated biomass residue management. A particularly newsworthy aspect is the exploration of biomass as […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Integrated Biorefineries Mission and Global Collaboration

August 3, 2025 | Jim Lane

The Mission Innovation Integrated Biorefineries Mission unites 23 governments to catalyze clean energy innovation, focusing on enhancing commercialization and reducing costs of biorefineries for sustainable fuels and chemicals. Its roadmap includes joint R&D (e.g., biopolymers, efficiency) and market/policy initiatives like harmonized SAF production modeling. A significant innovation is the new digital “Biorefinery Platform” for networking […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Heavy-Duty H2 Combustion

July 27, 2025 | Jim Lane

Sandia National Laboratories is advancing hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) for hard-to-electrify sectors, targeting 2024-2027 market entry. Key findings: increased swirl improves H2 mixing, yet cyclic variability remains. Crucially, hydrogen significantly delays hydrocarbon auto-ignition, providing new insights into oil pre-ignition. Pre-chamber fueling with H2 reduces cyclic variability and enables ultra-lean operation, outperforming natural gas. This […]

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to SAF

July 20, 2025 | Jim Lane

Global planned capacity for Renewable Diesel (RD), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Dimethyl Ether (DME) reached 23.699 billion units by June 2024, a 3% increase. Key drivers include RFS RVOs and Net Zero targets. A significant development is California’s withdrawal of its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) waiver request, creating uncertainty for fleet electrification. Feedstock affordability […]

Free Subscription

The Biofuels Digest newsletter

The most widely-read biofuels daily — 20,000+ organizations subscribe — why not you too?