Drop-in hydrocarbon fuels
Drop-in hydrocarbon biofuels, also called green hydrocarbon biofuels or renewable hydrocarbon biofuels and are fuels produced by a variety of biological, thermal, and chemical processes. They are chemically identical to petroleum gasoline or diesel fuel and so compatible with existing petroleum refining and distribution infrastructure but with the advantage of being renewable.
Many drop-in fuels are produced by converting industrial chemical compounds derived from animal and vegetable oil or fat (oleochemicals) such as used cooking oil, tallow or fats. However the processes such as gasification, pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) are a way to produce drop-in biofuels from biomass stocks.
Discussion's around the sustainability of biofuels at scale often focus on the ability to replenish stocks of the feed materials, which a greater challenge for oleochemicals than biomass, but in both cases the challenge is the land area required to produce the feeds, which may be used for food production. The main advantage of liquid biofuels from oleochemcals on the small scale is the availability of supply from recycled cooking oils and the ability to almost directly use these in vehicles. Biomass can also be sourced from reclaimed materials such as timber waste but needs to be processed in larger plants to create a useful fuel.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Advanced bioenergy.
- Biogas.
- Biomass CHP.
- Biomass.
- Biomethane.
- Combined heat and power (CHP).
- District energy.
- Energy.
- Environmental impact of biomaterials and biomass (FB 67).
- Feed in tariff.
- Fossil fuel.
- Methane pyrolysis.
- Solid biomass.
- Stove.
- Renewable heat incentive.
- Types of boiler.
- Types of fuel.
- Wood pellet mill basics.
Featured articles and news
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.