Fewer emissions
Fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
Biofuel and biochar from hemp
Hemp can feed more than food and fiber chains. Its oil can become biofuel and its leftover biomass can become biochar.
Biofuel
Biofuel from hemp seed oil
Biofuel is made from living organisms and is usually blended with regular fuel. Because it comes from organic matter, it absorbs carbon dioxide while the plant grows and releases it again when burned, so it does not add to the build-up of CO2. The project is looking at biofuel produced from industrial hemp oil as a renewable, biodegradable option that can run in standard diesel engines, pure or blended.
How it is made
From seed oil to fuel in five steps
Oil extraction
Oil is pressed from the hemp seeds. It is the raw material.
Transesterification
Methanol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) turn the oil into methyl esters and glycerin.
Separation
The esters and glycerin separate by density. The glycerin settles and is removed.
Purification
The esters are washed to remove traces of methanol, catalyst and impurities.
Hemp biofuel
A renewable fuel for standard diesel engines.
Why it matters
Environmental benefits
Lower inputs
Hemp grows fast and needs less water and fertilizer.
Less toxic
Less toxic and more biodegradable than petroleum diesel in a spill.
Circular economy
Glycerin and seed residue can serve other industries.
Biodiversity
Hemp fields can give habitat to a range of fauna and flora.
Versatile biomass
What remains can become biochar, and methanol for biofuel.
Biochar
Hemp biochar compared with other charcoals
A comparison of hemp biochar with pine charcoal, eucalyptus charcoal and mineral coal.
View as table
| Measure | Hemp biochar | Pine charcoal | Eucalyptus charcoal | Mineral coal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher heating value (BTU/lb) | 12,712 | 8,500 | 9,500 | 14,000 |
| Fixed carbon (% by weight) | 72.5 | 80 | 85 | 62.8 |
| Ash (% by weight) | 11.04 | 5 | 3 | 17 |
| Sulfur (% by weight) | 0.11 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| SO2 emitted (kg per ton burned) | 2 | 9 | 9 | 40 |
| CO2 emitted (tons per ton burned) | 2.18 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 2.3 |
Figures from the project's own comparison and laboratory results. The hemp biochar heating value is on a dry basis (as received it is 9,290 BTU/lb). Mineral coal has a higher heating value, but it is a non-renewable fossil fuel. The project concludes that hemp biochar is the better option for sustainability.
Laboratory results
Hemp biochar laboratory analysis
Thermal and elemental results for hemp biochar. Test conditions: 24.4 °C preparation area, 20.0 °C test area, 0.8 bar.
| Parameter (method) | As received | Dry basis |
|---|---|---|
| Volatile matter, % (ASTM D7582-15) | 12.01 | 16.44 |
| Ash, % (ASTM D7582-15) | 8.06 | 11.04 |
| Fixed carbon, % (ASTM D3172-13) | 53.00 | 72.53 |
| Higher heating value, kcal/kg (ASTM D5865) | 5,151.2 | 7,062.2 |
| Higher heating value, BTU/lb (ASTM D5865) | 9,290 | 12,712 |
| Lower heating value, BTU/lb | 9,128 | 12,480 |
| Sulfur, % (ASTM D4239-18) | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| Carbon, % (ASTM D5373-21) | 58.82 | 80.49 |
| Hydrogen, % (ASTM D5373-21) | 1.71 | 2.34 |
| Nitrogen, % (ASTM D5373-21) | 0.58 | 0.79 |
| Oxygen, % (ASTM D3176-15) | 3.91 | 5.24 |
Fuel properties
Chemical properties of hemp biofuel
These depend on the oil's composition, which varies with growing and processing conditions.
Fatty acid composition
A balanced ratio of fatty acids that can support good performance in diesel engines.
Cetane number
An indicator of combustion quality. Hemp biofuel has a cetane number suitable for diesel engines.
Oxidation stability
May be lower than other biofuels because of the high polyunsaturated content, which suitable antioxidants can address.
Freezing point
A low solidification point, so it stays fluid in cold conditions.
Viscosity
Similar to other biofuels and suitable for diesel engines.
Economics
Economic aspects of hemp biofuel
Production costs
They vary by region and scale, but can be competitive once environmental benefits and by-product revenue are counted.
Market value
The biofuel market is growing with demand for renewable energy, and the many uses of hemp add value to growing it.
Incentives and policies
Many governments promote biofuels, which can improve economic viability.
Circular economy
By-products from processing can add revenue and improve profitability.
Aviation and engine fuels
HEFA biofuels from hemp seed oil
The project's varieties produce seed oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Through the HEFA process (hydrotreated esters and fatty acids), the project aims to turn that oil into distillable hydrocarbons for biokerosene, biodiesel and biogasoline, with better resistance to low temperatures. The main focus is aviation biokerosene (SAF).
Fuels
What the process aims to produce
Biokerosene
The main focus: a fuel designed to keep flowing at very low temperatures, for aviation.
Biodiesel
A cleaner alternative to fossil diesel for diesel engines.
Biogasoline
For gasoline engines, from a sustainable production route.
Biogas
A volatile by-product used for energy or other steps inside the refinery.
The HEFA route
Seven stages from oil to fuel
Extraction and purification
Cold pressing and refining to prepare the oil.
Hydrotreatment
Saturates double bonds and removes sulfur and nitrogen.
Hydroisomerization
Reshapes molecules for fluidity and stability in the cold.
Hydrodeoxygenation
Cuts the oxygen content, leaving simpler hydrocarbons and water.
Fractional distillation
Separates the mix into fractions for each fuel.
Refining
Removes traces of other hydrocarbons and impurities.
Hydrocracking
Adjusts chain length to each fuel's specification.
Energy Communities
Electricity from hemp for rural LATAM
Energy Communities is a project to bring sustainable electricity to underserved rural areas, using industrial hemp as biomass. A specialized plant would turn the biomass into high-pressure steam that drives a turbine and a generator. The power would go to local communities or be sold to the national grid, and the model is meant to be replicable in other regions. The project also includes training for local people in hemp growing, plant maintenance and environmental management.
The plant design
How hemp becomes electricity
From the field to the community, in six stages:
- 1Land
- 2Hemp crop
- 3Biomass boiler
- 4Steam turbine
- 5Electric generator
- 6Communities and grid
By the numbers
The design at a glance
Planned figures:
- Up to 2 MW
- Planned electric capacity, enough for several rural communities.
- About 80 ha
- Hemp area planned to feed the plant.
- 90 to 120 t
- Dry biomass per hectare per year.
- 90 days
- Crop cycle, allowing several harvests a year.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can hemp oil become fuel?
The project aims to turn hemp seed oil into biofuel, through transesterification for biodiesel and through the HEFA process for biokerosene, biodiesel and biogasoline.
What is the HEFA process?
HEFA stands for hydrotreated esters and fatty acids. It converts vegetable oil into distillable hydrocarbons. The project's main focus is aviation biokerosene (SAF) that keeps flowing at very low temperatures.
Will the biokerosene be tested in aircraft turbines?
The project plans to test it in air force turbines and to run chromatographic, flash point, density and emissions tests against international standards.
What is the Energy Communities project?
It is a project to bring sustainable electricity to underserved rural areas of LATAM using hemp biomass. A plant of up to 2 MW would be fed by about 80 hectares of hemp, with local training and jobs.
How does hemp biochar compare with other charcoals?
On the project's own figures, hemp biochar has a higher heating value of 12,712 BTU/lb on a dry basis, against 8,500 for pine, 9,500 for eucalyptus and 14,000 for mineral coal. Its sulfur content is 0.11%, against 0.5%, 0.5% and 2.2%.