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
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.