Analysis of energy potential of biofuels obtained from camelina sativa

Abstract

In a world where the energy demand is increasing daily, energy efficiency and renewable energy play a major role. Our research comes to help fighting the biggest problem that our world is facing today, global warming. This study aims to evaluate the energy potential of biofuels obtained from camelina sativa in order to reduce fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is a cruciferous oilseed plant belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family with the common name false flax and gold of pleasure. Since camelina can grow under different conditions without being a competitor of food land, this energetic plant can be used for production of both, firstand second-generation biofuels. In our study we determined the elemental analysis of the subproducts obtained from camelina sativa, through experimental tests, and we built a mathematical model to determine the calorific power and to simulate the burning of the biofuels into a steam generator in order to analyse the energy potential. The results show us that the biofuels obtained from camelina sativa can represent an alternative to fossil fuels and should be considered in the transition to green energy.