Adaptive processing of natural feedstocks
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Chemical Engineering & Advanced Material
Abstract
Natural factories / plants / are capable of synthesising very complex functional molecules, which are then often mimicked for their function (as a drug, a fragrance, etc) through chemical synthesis. Such syntheses are not always feasible. In most cases the required transformations cannot be readily achieved due to the labile nature of the functional groups on the molecule of interest. Hence, using natural feedstocks as libraries of unique high-value molecules, and as factories that can be optimised to produce higher quantities of the desired molecules, is the approach that is potentially hugely rewarding, leading to creation of new markets. This route may also lead to the reduction of environmental impact of chemical technologies through avoiding the use of non-renewable feedstocks, complete utilisation of plant biomass and integrating plant feedstocks utilisation with energy and fertiliser technologies. This project will develop new adaptive processing technologies tackling main factors inducing variability in the overall process and consecutively affecting primary plant processing as well as downstream biodigestion and separation processes.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Adam Harvey (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Salam K
(2016)
A sustainable integrated in situ transesterification of microalgae for biodiesel production and associated co-product-a review
in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Velasquez-Orta S
(2012)
Alkaline in situ transesterification of Chlorella vulgaris
in Fuel
Kasim F
(2014)
Biodiesel production by in situ transesterification
in Biofuels
Ren Y
(2010)
Biorefining Based on Biodiesel Production: Chemical and Physical Characterisation of Reactively Extracted Rapeseed
in Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy
Zakaria R
(2012)
Direct production of biodiesel from rapeseed by reactive extraction/in situ transesterification
in Fuel Processing Technology
Kasim F
(2011)
Influence of various parameters on reactive extraction of Jatropha curcas L. for biodiesel production
in Chemical Engineering Journal
Salam K
(2016)
Kinetics of fast alkali reactive extraction/in situ transesterification of Chlorella vulgaris that identifies process conditions for a significant enhanced rate and water tolerance
in Fuel Processing Technology
Zakaria R
(2014)
Kinetics of reactive extraction/in situ transesterification of rapeseed oil
in Fuel Processing Technology
Velasquez-Orta S
(2014)
Microalgae harvesting using ozoflotation: Effect on lipid and FAME recoveries
in Biomass and Bioenergy
Adam Harvey (Author)
(2011)
Reactive extraction (in situ transesterification)of Jatropha curcas L. for methyl ester production
Description | We have found ways of making biodiesel directly from oilseeds, thereby greatly reducing the number of steps in its production. This could allow oilseed producers (farmers) to process their crop into fuel directly. Since the project the technique has been successfully extended to algae. |
Exploitation Route | (i) Research is ongoing in the research group (various PhDs) to solve the main problem in this process: that the process requires a great deal of solvent. (ii) There have been a succession of PhDs in this area to this day. The research area is still active. Some recent work has focussed on microalgae, which could be an important area. This has been continued by researchers in Nigeria and here in Newcastle. |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Description | As a basis for further funding. The research area has attracted a number of funded overseas PhD students. This has impact in terms of training new researchers for developing economies (Nigeria and Malaysia in this case). The findings have been the basis of many publications by this research group. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | PhD Funding TET Fund (Nigeria): Reactive Extraction Reactive Coupling |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | TETFund |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Nigeria |
Start | 10/2013 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | PhD Reactive Extraction/Reactive Coupling to Polyglycerol |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | PTDF Petroleum Technology Development Fund Nigeria |
Sector | Public |
Country | Nigeria |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | Water-tolerant Extraction of Algal Biofuels |
Amount | £335,703 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 72 |
Organisation | Carbon Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2010 |
End | 06/2011 |