scholarly journals Sustainability of Biodiesel Production and Usage: The Case of Romania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorin Stanica-Ezeanu ◽  
Loredana-Maria Paunescu
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Fuel ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis ◽  
Rapeseed Production

Abstract Background: This paper aims to evaluate the sustainability of biodiesel, a renewable fuel used as a blending component in diesel fuel. This study describes the current situation in Romania where the European Union (EU) settlement regarding the blending ratio of biodiesel and compliance with environmental protection specifications are applied. The evaluation covers the whole biodiesel value chain, from rapeseed production through biodiesel synthesis and combustion.Results: Our evaluation process takes into account three elements of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. The overall result of this research is that, despite Romania’s high potential for biodiesel production and use, the sustainability of biodiesel is low as a result of the Romania’s government strategy, combined with biodiesel prices on the international market and the interests of Romanian refinery owners.Conclusions: Our prediction is that the current situation will remain over the next decade, owing to economic factors such as the decline in rapeseed crops, a key raw material for biodiesel manufacturing, and the higher cost of biodiesel produced in Romania. Another factor could be Romania's implementation of EU regulations aimed at replacing diesel engines with electric ones. If this decision is implemented, diesel fuel and, implicitly, biodiesel will be phased out of the vehicle fuel market.

Biodiesel Production From Crude Rubber Seed Oil Using Supercritical Methanol Transesterification

2015 ◽  
Vol 781 ◽  
pp. 655-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thakun Sawiwat ◽  
Somjai Kajorncheappunngam
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Supercritical Methanol ◽  
Rubber Seed Oil ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Rubber Seed ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

Synthesis of biodiesel from rubber seed oil using a supercritical methanol was investigated under various reaction conditions (220 - 300°C, 80 - 180 bar) with reaction time of 1-15 min and oil:methanol molar ratio of 1:20 - 1:60. Free fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) content were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Most properties of produced biodiesel were in good agreement with biodiesel standard (EN 14214). The maximum FAME yield of 86.90% was obtained at 260°C, 160 bar, 5 min reaction time using oil:methanol molar ratio of 1:40. The result showed the acid value of rubber seed oil decreased to 0.58 mgKOH/g from initial 24 mgKOH/g to. It could be concluded from this findings that crude rubber seed oil is a promising alternative raw material for biodiesel synthesis via supercritical methanol tranesterification.

scholarly journals Microalgae Cultivation in Photobioreactors Aiming at Biodiesel Production

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus S. Amaral ◽  
Carla C.A. Loures ◽  
Fabiano L. Naves ◽  
Gisella L. Samanamud ◽  
Messias B. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis ◽  
Microalgae Biomass ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Bad Weather ◽  
Micro Organisms

The search for a renewable source as an alternative to fossil fuels has driven the research on new sources of biomass for biofuels. An alternative source of biomass that has come to prominence is microalgae, photosynthetic micro-organisms capable of capturing atmospheric CO2 and accumulating high levels of lipids in their biomass, making them attractive as a raw material for biodiesel synthesis. Thus, various studies have been conducted in developing different types of photobioreactors for the cultivation of microalgae. Photobioreactors can be divided into two groups: open and closed. Open photobioreactors are more susceptible to contamination and bad weather, reducing biomass productivity. Closed photobioreactors allow greater control against contamination and bad weather and lead to higher rates of biomass production; they are widely used in research to improve new species and processes. Therefore, many configurations of closed photobioreactors have been developed over the years to increase productivity of microalgae biomass.

RockCheck the rocks – innovative pedagogical approaches for active learning about rock

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Žvab Rožič ◽  
Nina Valand ◽  
Helena Gabrijelčič Tomc ◽  
Jože Guna ◽  
Žiga Fon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Learning Material ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Individual

<p>Application RockCheck (original version KamenCheck in Slovenian) was developed as an e-learning material, which can be used for teaching and learning geological contents in formal and non-formal education. Our aim was to create the teaching aid that will contribute to the improvement and quality of teaching and learning of basic geological contents within natural science subjects. It was created to be used in classrooms, as an additional motivation tool combined with active learning methods, and also in challenges for lessons in nature. Since the application uses the approach of experimental and observational based learning no pre-existing knowledge is needed, and users can determine names of typical rocks only by following the app's instructions.</p><p>The application consists of three main chapters  whose contents are interrelated. The main chapter presents the Rock key where through a simple decision key, by answering the question with yes or no, the user identifies the name of the individual rock. The application enables independent research by observing and experimenting with using simple tools. The other two chapters, Encyclopaedia and School of rock, help the user to enable further learning about rocks in general, about their appearance, formation and usage as well as help to understand geological concepts and procedures. The contents of the chapters are cautiously connected with the links. The last two chapters are a crucial support for planning and teaching the geological contents and present also the good base for preparing active learning challenges. All contents within the application were carefully designed and based on learning objectives of the Slovenian curriculum.</p><p>As an important project upgrade the interactive and experimental workshop was created which provides an insight to use the application as a learning aid. The workshop provides the examples and concepts of how the teachers through experiential learning can teach geology and thus increase the understanding and sustainability of knowledge. In order to actively involve the participants in the learning process, the workshop covers a variety of challenges that are addressed through different teaching methods. Besides, the special interactive learning sheets were created, which were designed with a specific goal and level. We also created a  board game called RockGame. It uses the RockCheck app for solving challenges and answering questions in the game. The main aim of the RockGame is to raise awareness about the topic of raw materials. Trough gamification pupils learn about geologist’s role in the raw material value chain. We did so by including the connection between minerals, rocks, raw mineral resources and final products in the game.</p><p>The application was made within the student project StoneKey (call "On the creative path to knowledge 2017-2020"). The project involved 9 students of different degrees and study programs, three teaching mentors and a working mentor from the company DigiEd. The project was co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Social Fund.  The application was later upgraded and translated within the EU project RM@Schools 3.0. funded by the European Institute of Innovation and technology.</p>

Biodiesel Synthesis from Used Cooking Oil Using Red Mud as Heterogeneous Catalyst

2020 ◽  
Vol 991 ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
Arif Hidayat ◽  
Galih Kholifatu Roziq ◽  
Faiz Muhammad ◽  
Winarto Kurniawan ◽  
Hirofumi Hinode
Keyword(s):  
Red Mud ◽  
Heterogeneous Catalysts ◽  
Gas Adsorption ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Cooking Oil ◽  
Used Cooking Oil ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

The problem associated with biodiesel production is economic feasibility. The biodiesel cost will reduce when the low cost feedstock was used as feedstock. Used Cooking Oil (UCO) is a promising candidate as raw material for biodiesel synthesis. In this study, the investigation of biodiesel synthesis from UCO was studied using red mud as heterogeneous catalysts. The catalyst was prepared by impregnating Potassium metals on red mud. The catalyst physico-characteristics were determined using Nitrogen gas adsorption, FT-IR, XRD, and XRF. The catalyst was tested to synthesize biodiesel from UCO. The reaction temperatures, methanol to oil mass ratio, and amount of catalyst were varied to examine their effects on biodiesel synthesis. The optimum reaction conditions were obtained at 60°C of reaction temperature, 10:1 of methanol to oil mass ratio, and 10% of catalyst amount. The highest biodiesel yield of 94.4% was obtained.

scholarly journals Utilization of Wheat Bran Acid Hydrolysate by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Y-MG1 for Microbial Lipid Production as Feedstock for Biodiesel Synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Ayadi ◽  
Hafedh Belghith ◽  
Ali Gargouri ◽  
Mohamed Guerfali
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Wheat Bran ◽  
Lipid Production ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Rhodotorula Mucilaginosa ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

The lignocellulosic hydrolysate was used as the fermentation feedstock of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Y-MG1 for the production of microbial lipids as the potential raw material for biodiesel synthesis. On synthetic media and under nitrogen-limiting condition, the Y-MG1 strain produces 2.13 g/L of lipids corresponding to 32.7% of lipid content. This strain was able to assimilate a wide range of substrates, especially C5 and C6 sugars as well as glycerol and sucrose. Fatty acid composition shows a divergence depending on the nature of used carbon source with a predominance of oleic acid or linoleic acid. An effective hydrolysis process, based on diluted acid treatment, was established for providing the maximum of fermentable sugars from different characterized lignocellulosic wastes. The highest yield of reducing sugars (56.6 g/L) could be achieved when wheat bran was used as the raw material. Hydrolysate detoxification step was not required in this study since the Y-MG1 strain was shown to grow and produce lipids in the presence of inhibitors and without the addition of external elements. Operating by controlled fed-batch fermentation yielded a dry biomass and oil yield of up to 11 g/L and 38.7% (w/w), respectively. The relative fatty acid composition showed the presence of increased levels of monounsaturated (66.8%) and saturated (23.4%) fatty acids in lipids of Y-MG1 grown on wheat bran. The predictive determination of biodiesel properties suggests that this oil may effectively be used for biodiesel production.

Pilot Plant of Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil

2012 ◽  
Vol 550-553 ◽  
pp. 687-692
Author(s):  
Guang Rui Liu ◽  
Guan Yi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Acid Value ◽  
Waste Cooking Oil ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Animal Fats ◽  
Cooking Oil

Biodiesel, as an alternative auto fuel for conventional fossil fuel, has drawn wide attention in recent years. In this research, a two-step process for biodiesel production using waste cooking oil as feedstock was studied in a pilot plant with a treatment capacity of 3 ton/d. The results show that: the process exihibited a good conversion ratio and the biodiesel displayed suitable physical-chemical properties in comparison with diesel fuel, such as flash point of 137°C, viscosity of 4.49 mm2/s, acid value of 0.44 mg KOH/g etc. The quality of biodiesel meets the agreement with the European specification defined by EN 14214. Afterwards, the mixture of biodiesel and diesel were test in the engine with a ratio of 50/50（v/v）, 20/80（v/v）, and 0/100（v/v）. It indicates the mixed fuel has a reasonable fuel consumption rates without diesel engine modification, when the biodiesel blended with 0# diesel as fuel. The present results demonstrated that the industrial scale plant would achieve promising objective with waste cooking oils and animal fats as raw material. Also, this biodiesel-based diesel fuel could be applied in Tianjin local public transportation system that improves its sustainable development.

scholarly journals Biodiesel production from alternative raw materials using a heterogeneous low ordered biosilicified enzyme as biocatalyst

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Orlando Ferrero ◽  
Edgar Maximiliano Sánchez Faba ◽  
Griselda Alejandra Eimer
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Waste Frying Oil ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

Abstract Background Cumulative reported evidence has indicated that renewable feedstocks are a promising alternative source to fossil platforms for the production of fuels and chemicals. In that regard, the development of new, highly active, selective, and easy to recover and reuse catalysts for biomass conversions is urgently needed. The combination of enzymatic and inorganic heterogeneous catalysis generates an unprecedented platform that combines the advantages of both, the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of enzymes with the ordered structure, high porosity, mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance of mesoporous materials to obtain enzymatic heterogeneous catalysts. Enzymatic mineralization with an organic silicon precursor (biosilicification) is a promising and emerging approach for the generation of solid hybrid biocatalysts with exceptional stability under severe use conditions. Herein, we assessed the putative advantages of the biosilicification technology for developing an improved efficient and stable biocatalyst for sustainable biofuel production. Results A series of solid enzymatic catalysts denominated LOBE (low ordered biosilicified enzyme) were synthesized from Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase and tetraethyl orthosilicate. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties characterization revealed that the enzyme formed aggregates that were contained in the heart of silicon-covered micelles, providing active sites with the ability to process different raw materials (commercial sunflower and soybean oils, Jatropha excisa oil, waste frying oil, acid oil from soybean soapstock, and pork fat) to produce first- and second-generation biodiesel. Ester content ranged from 81 to 93% wt depending on the raw material used for biodiesel synthesis. Conclusions A heterogeneous enzymatic biocatalyst, LOBE4, for efficient biodiesel production was successfully developed in a single-step synthesis reaction using biosilicification technology. LOBE4 showed to be highly efficient in converting refined, non-edible and residual oils (with high water and free fatty acid contents) and ethanol into biodiesel. Thus, LOBE4 emerges as a promising tool to produce second-generation biofuels, with significant implications for establishing a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint.

scholarly journals Biodiesel production from alternative raw materials using a heterogeneous Low Ordered Biosilicified Enzyme as biocatalyst

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Orlando Ferrero ◽  
Edgar Maximiliano Sánchez Faba ◽  
Griselda Alejandra Eimer
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Waste Frying Oil ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

Abstract Background: Cumulative reported evidence has indicated that renewable feedstocks are a promising alternative source to fossil platforms for the production of fuels and chemicals. In that regard, the development of new, highly active, selective, and easy to recover and reuse catalysts for biomass conversions is urgently needed. The combination of enzymatic and inorganic heterogeneous catalysis generates an unprecedented platform that combines the advantages of both, the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of enzymes with the ordered structure, high porosity, mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance of mesoporous materials to obtain enzymatic heterogeneous catalysts. Enzymatic mineralization with an organic silicon precursor (biosilicification) is a promising and emerging approach for the generation of solid hybrid biocatalysts with exceptional stability under severe use conditions. Herein, we assessed the putative advantages of the biosilicification technology for developing an improved efficient and stable biocatalyst for sustainable biofuel production. Results: A series of solid enzymatic catalysts denominated LOBE (Low Ordered Biosilicified Enzyme) were synthesized from Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase and tetraethyl orthosilicate. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties characterization revealed that the enzyme formed aggregates that were contained in the heart of silicon-covered micelles, providing active sites with the ability to process different raw materials (commercial sunflower and soybean oils, Jatropha excisa oil, waste frying oil, acid oil from soybean soapstock, and pork fat) to produce first and second generation biodiesel. Ester content ranged from 81 to 93% wt depending on the raw material used for biodiesel synthesis. Conclusions: A heterogeneous enzymatic biocatalyst, LOBE4, for efficient biodiesel production was successfully developed in a single step synthesis reaction using biosilicification technology. LOBE4 showed to be highly efficient in converting refined, non-edible and residual oils (with high water and free fatty acid contents) and ethanol into biodiesel. Thus, LOBE4 emerges as a promising tool to produce second-generation biofuels, with significant implications for establishing a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint.

Indonesia Natural Zeolite as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 872 ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
Bachrun Sutrisno ◽  
Alif Muhammad ◽  
Zikriani Genta ◽  
Arif Hidayat
Keyword(s):  
Natural Zeolite ◽  
Heterogeneous Catalysts ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Catalyst Amount ◽  
Biodiesel Synthesis

The problem associated with biodiesel production is economic feasibility. The biodiesel cost will reduce when the low cost feedstock was used. Kapok seed oil (KSO) is a promising candidate as raw material for biodiesel synthesis. In this research, the investigation of biodiesel synthesis from KSO was studied using Indonesia Natural Zeolite as heterogeneous catalysts. The catalyst was tested to synthesize biodiesel from KSO. The reaction temperatures, KSO to methanol mole ratio, and catalyst amount were varied to examine their effects on biodiesel synthesis. The highest biodiesel yield of 84% were obtained at 65°C of reaction temperature, 1:16 of KSO to methanol mole ratio, and 10% of catalyst amount.

scholarly journals Development of Biodiesel Plant Design Integrated with Palm Oil Mill for Diesel Fuel Substitution in Oil Palm Industry

KnE Energy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imam Paryanto ◽  
Agus Kismanto ◽  
Maharani Dewi S ◽  
Hariana .
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
High Price ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Crude Palm Oil ◽  
Fuel Substitution ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

<p>One of the biodiesel production problems is the high price of plant oil as a raw material, causing the high cost of biodiesel in the market and less competitive compared to the diesel fossil fuel. Most biodiesel production plants which, are located far from the raw material source, especially from palm oil mill, and are not integrated with palm oil mill can cause the cost of raw material even higher, and hence increased biodiesel production cost. This problem needs to be anticipated and solved by integrating the biodiesel plant with the palm oil mill, so that some of the crude palm oil produced or off-grade palm oil recovered from POME can be processed and converted to biodiesel product. Biodiesel can further be used as diesel-substitute fuel for the operation of palm plantation and palm oil mill. With this integration concept, the investment and production costs can be less because of the availability of crude oil raw material and utilities (water, steam and electricity) in the palm oil mill. To implement the idea of integration strategy to become reality, the development of engineering design of biodiesel plant integrated with palm oil mill is needed with the consideration of some technical aspects of : (i) the internal need of diesel fuel, (ii) supply of raw material, (iii) the selected production process, (iv) the availability of utilities and, (v) calculation of estimated investment and production costs. The concept of integration is the combined and merged business of biodiesel production and palm plantation and oil mill. This concept will give the optimum profit and benefit for utilization of crude palm oil or off-grade palm oil for producing biodiesel to substitute the consumption of diesel fuel in the palm industries. <br /><strong>Keywords:</strong> Biodiesel, Biodiesel Plant, Diesel Fuel Substitution, Integrated Biodiesel Plant, Palm Oil Mill</p>

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