Alternative and renewable energy sources already play a very decisive role in the development of human society, helping to fulfill increasing energy demands from both industrialized and underdeveloped countries, as well as economic needs, which must comply with a decarbonized economy, decreasing the energy impact on the global environment. Among these alternative energy sources, fuels such as biodiesel, methanol, and methane are good examples of how the previous design can be achieved, as these fuels can be obtained from renewable sources, used in applications such as transportation systems, electricity generation, fuel conversion, and even for electricity storage, with reduced impact on air emissions. This Special Issue includes papers on new and innovative technical developments or approaches, reviews, case studies, as well as assessment, papers from different disciplines, which are relevant to the optimization of biodiesel, methane/methanol production systems, simultaneously resulting in air quality improvement.
Alternative and renewable energy sources already play a very decisive role in the development of human society, helping to fulfill increasing energy demands from both industrialized and underdeveloped countries, as well as economic needs, which must comply with a decarbonized economy, decreasing the energy impact on the global environment. Among these alternative energy sources, fuels such as biodiesel, methanol, and methane are good examples of how the previous design can be achieved, as these fuels can be obtained from renewable sources, used in applications such as transportation systems, electricity generation, fuel conversion, and even for electricity storage, with reduced impact on air emissions. This Special Issue includes papers on new and innovative technical developments or approaches, reviews, case studies, as well as assessment, papers from different disciplines, which are relevant to the optimization of biodiesel, methane/methanol production systems, simultaneously resulting in air quality improvement.
Although the compression ignition (C.I.) engine, invented by Rudolf Diesel, was originally intended to work with pure vegetable oils as fuel, more than a century ago, it was adapted to be used with a fuel of fossil origin, obtained from oil. Therefore, there would be no technical difficulties in returning to the primitive design of using biofuels of renewable origin, such as vegetable oils. The main drawback is found in the one billion C.I. engines which are currently in use, which would have to undergo a modification in the injection system in order to adapt them to the higher viscosity of vegetable oils in comparison to that of fossil fuels. Thus, the gradual incorporation of biofuels as substitutes of fossil fuels is mandatory.
This dissertation, "Optimization of Biodiesel Production and Purification for Maximizing Biodiesel Yield From Camelina Oil" by Xuan, Wu, 吴璇, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Because of the depletion of the world's petroleum reserves and the increasing environmental concerns, biodiesel, as a low-emission renewable fuel and one of the best substitutes for petro-diesel fuel, has attracted great public interest over the past decades. At present, camelina oil has been considered as a low-cost feedstock for biodiesel production because of its high oil content and environmental benefits. In the present study, the optimization of biodiesel production and purification from camelina oil is studied extensively in order to maximize the biodiesel yield. The orthogonal array design is used to optimize the biodiesel production and four relevant process conditions for affecting biodiesel yield are investigated: methanol to oil ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction time and temperature. For the optimization study on biodiesel purification, five commonly used washing methods are also investigated: cold deionized water washing, hot deionized water washing, phosphoric acid washing, ultrasonic assisted washing, and magnesol washing. The optimization study, based on traditional mechanical stirring process, reveals that the decreasing ranking of significant factors for biodiesel production is catalyst concentration >reaction time >reaction temperature > methanol to oil ratio. The maximum biodiesel yield is found at a molar ratio of methanol to oil of 8:1, a reaction time of 70 min, a reaction temperature of 50℃, and a catalyst concentration of 1 wt.%. After testing the fuel properties of the final product, the optimized biodiesel meets the relevant requirements of the biodiesel standards and thus can be used as a qualified fuel for diesel engines. The optimization study, based on ultrasonic-assisted transesterification process, reveals that the maximal fatty acid methyl ester yield of the final biodiesel product is obtained under a methanol to oil molar ratio of 8:1, catalyst concentration of 1.25 wt.%, reaction time of 50 min and reaction temperature of 55 ℃. Compared with traditional mechanical stirring production process, ultrasonic-assisted transesterification process improves the biodiesel production since it could reduce the production cost and save energy. For the optimization study on biodiesel purification, the fatty acid methyl ester yield of the final biodiesel product, energy consumption and economic costs of different washing methods are compared. The comparisons indicate that the ultrasonic assisted washing method is the best method for biodiesel purification, when energy consumption and operation costs are considered. A preliminary kinetics study of transesterification reaction of camelina oil is carried out. After discussing four cases for overall reaction, a third-order reaction mechanism was proposed to fit the experimental data better because of the highest coefficient of determination. Based on the best-fit plot, the rate constants and activation energy are also determined. To sum up, the present research focuses on the optimization of biodiesel production and purification from camelina oil, and provides insights into the optimal process conditions for maximizing the biodiesel yield. Further research works are finally recommended to be continued. DOI: 10.5353/th_b4961769 Subjects: Biodiesel fuels
Converting biomass to biofuels involves hydrolyzing cellulose to sugars using cost-intensive commercial enzymes – an expensive step that makes large-scale production economically non-viable. As such, there is a need for low-cost bioprocessing. This book critically evaluates the available bioprocessing technologies for various biofuels, and presents the latest research in the field. It also highlights the recent developments, current challenges and viable alternative approaches to reduce the overall cost of producing biofuels.
Biofuels such as ethanol, butanol, and biodiesel have more desirable physico-chemical properties than base petroleum fuels (diesel and gasoline), making them more suitable for use in internal combustion engines. The book begins with a comprehensive review of biofuels and their utilization processes and culminates in an analysis of biofuel quality and impact on engine performance and emissions characteristics, while discussing relevant engine types, combustion aspects and effect on greenhouse gases. It will facilitate scattered information on biofuels and its utilization has to be integrated as a single information source. The information provided in this book would help readers to update their basic knowledge in the area of "biofuels and its utilization in internal combustion engines and its impact Environment and Ecology". It will serve as a reference source for UG/PG/Ph.D. Doctoral Scholars for their projects / research works and can provide valuable information to Researchers from Academic Universities and Industries. Key Features: • Compiles exhaustive information of biofuels and their utilization in internal combustion engines. • Explains engine performance of biofuels • Studies impact of biofuels on greenhouse gases and ecology highlighting integrated bio-energy system. • Discusses fuel quality of different biofuels and their suitability for internal combustion engines. • Details effects of biofuels on combustion and emissions characteristics.
Biodiesel: A Realistic Fuel Alternative for Diesel Engines describes the production and characterization of biodiesel. The book also presents current experimental research work in the field, including techniques to reduce biodiesel’s high viscosity. Researchers in renewable energy, as well as fuel engineers, will discover a myriad of new ideas and promising possibilities.
In recent years, Air Quality Management has become of major importance, especially in megacities, i.e. those with more than 10 million inhabitants. The present publication provides scientists and engineers working in this area with the most recent results touching all major aspects of this highly important field.
BIOREFINERY PRODUCTION OF FUELS AND PLATFORM CHEMICALS From the selection and pretreatment of raw materials to design of reactors, methods of conversion, selection of process parameters, optimization, and production of various types of biofuels to the industrial applications for the technology, this is the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of liquid biofuels for engineers and students. Massive use of fossil-based fuels not only create environmental pollution, but these sources are already diminishing. Waste biomass can aid in the production of biobased energy and chemicals. This book is a complete collection of chapters on biofuel and biochemical production presented in a sustainable way. Biorefineries are the need of the day, because they have the potential to produce fuels and chemicals in an environmentally sustainable way, to eventually fully displace production based on fossil resources such as petroleum, coal and natural gas. Algal cells are also a suitable fit for the production of both fuels and chemicals replacing conventional sources. In this book, several chapters summarize how algal biomass can be processed for the production of bioenergy and biochemicals. This volume is essentially a roadmap towards thermochemical, biochemicals, bioengineering and bioprocessing. Written and edited by authors from leading biotechnology research groups from across the world, this exciting new volume covers all of these technologies, including the basic concepts and the problems and solutions involved with the practical applications in the real world. Whether for the veteran engineer or scientist, the student, or a manager or other technician working in the field, this volume is a must-have for any library.
