Designer Catalysts for High Efficiency Biodiesel Production
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Tackling the current world energy crisis is recognised as a top priority for both developed and developing nations. Alternative energy sources are therefore urgently sought in response to both diminishing world oil reserves and increasing environmental concerns over global climate change. To be truly viable such alternative energy sources must be sustainable, that is have the ability to meet 21st century energy needs without compromising those of future generations. While a number of sustainable technologies are currently receiving heavy investment, the most easily implemented and low cost solutions for transportation needs are those based upon biomass derived fuels. Spearheading such renewable fuels is biodiesel - a biodegradable, non toxic fuel synthesised from animal fats or plant oils extracted from cereal or non-food crops. We recently developed a range of first-generation solid acid and base catalysts that respectively remove undesired free fatty acid (FFA) impurities, and transform naturally occurring triglycerides found within plant oils into clean biodiesel. Here we propose to achieve a step-change in both catalyst, and overall process efficiency, through a combination of new synthetic materials chemistry and reactor technologies, in combination with computer-aided catalyst and process design. Our goal is the delivery of second-generation mesostructured solid acids and bases, optimised for efficient diffusion and reaction of bulky triglycerides and FFAs, and an intensified process allowing tandem esterification and transesterification of plant oil. Together these new green chemical technologies offer vastly streamlined biodiesel production, with associated annual energy savings of 5.5 billion kWh and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tonnes per annum at current production rates.
Publications
Dacquin JP
(2009)
An efficient route to highly organized, tunable macroporous-mesoporous alumina.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Woodford J
(2012)
Better by design: nanoengineered macroporous hydrotalcites for enhanced catalytic biodiesel production
in Energy & Environmental Science
Wilson K
(2016)
Catalyst design for biorefining.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Lee AF
(2014)
Heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable biodiesel production via esterification and transesterification.
in Chemical Society reviews
Eze V
(2013)
Heterogeneous catalysis in an oscillatory baffled flow reactor
in Catalysis Science & Technology
Wilson K
(2011)
Hierarchical Macroporous Mesoporous Materials for Biodiesel Synthesis.
in MRS Proceedings
Dhainaut J
(2010)
Hierarchical macroporous-mesoporous SBA-15 sulfonic acidcatalysts for biodiesel synthesis
in Green Chem.
Pirez C
(2015)
Hydrothermal Saline Promoted Grafting of Periodic Mesoporous Organic Sulfonic Acid Silicas for Sustainable FAME Production
in Catalysis Letters
Woodford J
(2013)
Identifying the active phase in Cs-promoted MgO nanocatalysts for triglyceride transesterification
in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
Montero J
(2010)
In situ studies of structure-reactivity relations in biodiesel synthesis over nanocrystalline MgO
in Chemical Engineering Journal
Description | This report, commissioned by the German Academy of Sciences was co-authored by selected delegates at their 'Biofuels and Bioenergy' workshop held in Griefswald. The report details recommendations made by delegates at the meeting about the sustainability of biofuels across Germany and Europe. http://www.leopoldina.org/uploads/tx_leopublication/201207_Stellungnahme_Bioenergie_LAY_en_final.pdf A group of experts from various disciplines have been helping the Leopoldina investigate how Germany can best harness biomass in ways that make sense from the point of view of energy and the climate. The statement on the opportunities and limits of bioenergy analyses the availability and feasibility of using biomass in Germany, provides an overview of energy conversion technologies and introduces promising approaches to producing hydrogen from renewable resources. The recommendations contained in this statement are intended to provide parliaments, ministries, associations and companies with well-founded and unbiased support in making the important decisions that will lay the foundations for a climate-friendly, secure and sustainable use of bioenergy. Contribution Method: The role of catalysis in the sustainable conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals, in particular biodiesel synthesis, features as an important technology. |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |