Review on second-generation synthetic fuel: feedstocks, potential production, deployable technologies, and challenges

Recent advancements in energy conversion technologies have effectively addressed global challenges like fuel dependency, production costs, waste management, and pollution control. Utilizing natural waste to generate synthetic fuels represents a viable strategy for improved energy conservation, pollution mitigation, cost-effectiveness, sustainable production, and socio-economic development. Synthetic fuels are gaining global prominence as they reduce crude oil consumption, especially in the transportation and industrial sectors. This research meticulously reviews technologies available for synthesizing fuels from biological waste and enhancing feedstock quality. This study highlights the increasing adoption of algae as a feedstock for biofuel extraction via photobioreactors. Moreover, bioethanol and biobutanol can be derived from grasses through the lignocellulosic process. A pressing concern is the disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW); however, biodiesel ester and biogas can be procured from MSW via transesterification and advanced gasification processes. While refined fuel production offers potential solutions to climate change and resource utilization challenges, specific issues persist. These include high production costs, significant power consumption, extended processing times, and inconsistent feedstock collection. Nonetheless, this study emphasizes the potential of advanced biofuel production from second-generation feedstocks. Such biofuels serve as promising carbon-based chemical sources for industrial and transportation applications, filling gaps left by conventional fuels.