Combustion Chemistry Centre, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
ChemSusChem. 2013 Jan;6(1):36-41. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201200738. Epub 2012 Dec 17.
The rapid development in methods for transforming non-edible biomass into platform chemicals and fuels has accelerated over recent years. However, the determination of whether these 'next-generation' biofuels perform in a satisfactory manner in engines, turbines and burners has lagged behind. The evaluation of the ecological and toxicological aspects has also been unable to keep up. We show, by using 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) as a concrete example, how a range of studies is needed to establish the benefits and risks of using a particular biofuel. In this regard, the variable with the largest impact about which little is known is probably the behaviour of DMF when it is accidentally introduced into groundwater. A primary consideration is to avoid a repetition of the methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) fiasco.
近年来，将非食用生物质转化为平台化学品和燃料的方法发展迅速。然而，这些“下一代”生物燃料在发动机、涡轮机和燃烧器中是否能令人满意地运行，这方面的确定工作却一直滞后。对生态和毒理学方面的评估也未能跟上。我们以 2,5-二甲基呋喃（DMF）为例，展示了需要进行一系列研究，以确定使用特定生物燃料的益处和风险。在这方面，影响最大但知之甚少的变量可能是 DMF 意外进入地下水时的行为。首要考虑的是避免重蹈甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）的覆辙。
