Interview with Volvo:
The technology exists - we need the biofuels
Since the turn of the millennium Volvo is investing millions in research and development of renewable fuels. In this exclusive interview Patrik Klintbom, Coordinator Alternative Fuels and Urea, Volvo Technology Corporation, gives an insight into the way Volvo is approaching future fuels and the market opportunities for fuel produced from black liquor in pulp mills.
Even though there is no supply of second generation fuels yet the development of the technology to use them is intense at Volvo. The research is done on heavy vehicles since the infrastructure is less of a problem: trucks for distribution and buses can fill up fuel at the beginning and the end of the route. Diesel was also used only for trucks to start with. When the fuels are more widely available on the market the present filling stations will be modified to handle them and the new fuels will be available for everyone.
Biofuels are here to stay
– Biofuels are here to stay and the process is just starting! The fact that the fuel is not available yet does not hinder the development, says Patrik Klintbom. Volvo puts much focus on the development of biofuels to stay competitive.
The research and development was intensified after the turn of the millennium due to the increasing oil prices and the raw oil production starting reaching its limits. Another important driving force has been the human climate impact.
Energy efficiency is a key aspect
There are many aspects to consider in choosing the fuel, for example energy efficiency and climate impact.
– Gasification is a process with very low emissions of green house gases. Gasification of black liquor has an interesting aspect in that the process is integrated in the pulp mill and you can extract more from the finite biomass available. We cannot waste any biomass! It is wanted by many, not the least in the electricity sector where it will replace coal. Had the supply of biomass been unlimited we would not have had to consider the energy efficiency as much.
Volvo’s vehicles will run on many different fuels. But Patrik Klintbom constantly returns to the importance of the energy efficiency – to get as much energy as possible out of the fuel and at the same time minimize climate impact both in the production and when running the vehicles.
– DME from black liquor gasification seems to be a very promising alternative both economically and when it comes to energy efficiency. Simultaneously the climate impact is minimal. After the gasification of the black liquor different fuels can be produced. DME is one of them.
Clean exhaust
DME has another advantage in that it burns free of soot with very clean exhaust. Hence there is no need for an advanced exhaust after-treatment. The greatest challenge with DME is the restructuring of the filling stations and the adjustment of the injection system in the vehicle.
Volvo regards DME as one of the major alternatives but other fuels will be important as well in the ongoing global shift of fuel supply.
Text: Elisabeth Kempemo, Logos Kommunikation
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Eight renewable fuels evaluated by Volvo
See the results below from an evaluation made by Volvo of eight renewable fuels concerning: climate impact, energy efficiency (well-to-wheel), land use efficiency and fuel costs relative to fossil diesel.
Source: Volvo AB