
First Economical and Eco-Friendly Algal Biodiesel Production Process Reported
March 27, 2009http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/acs-ep030909.php
http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=solid-catalyst-simplifies-turning-a-2009-03-26
http://www.thebioenergysite.com/news/3397/first-economical-process-for-biodiesel-from-algae
|
A "continuously flowing fixed bed" process is reported as the "first economical way to produce biodiesel from algae oil". According to Ben Wen, vice president of United Environment and Energy LLC (New York, United States), the process costs much less than the conventional because running times are faster (smaller plants are possible), there are no water disposal costs, and a purification step is made unnecessary. The use of a solid catalyst provides the key advantage for the process. In conventional biodiesel production, the biodiesel-yielding reaction between the oil and the alcohol uses a liquid catalyst (usually an alkali solution). A purification step is necessary to separate the liquid catalyst from the biodiesel product. In the new process, the reactants are just run through a fixed column of solid catalysts. Conversion of the reactants into biodiesel proceeds as the liquid stream passes through the column. Hence, the final product can be collected at the end of the column without any purification step to separate the catalyst from the product. A pilot program for the process with a production capacity of nearly 1 million gallons of algae biodiesel per year is being conducted..
|
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Tribute to Dr. Norman Borlaug
- China Gives USD 30 Million to Boost Agriculture in Developing Countries
- Malawi's Agriculture Ministry Releases Drought-Proof Maize Varieties
- MoU to Strengthen Biotech Awareness in Africa Signed
- CFIA Seeks Comment for Commercial Release of Drought-Tolerant Corn
- Monsanto Establishes International Scholars Program
- India Operationalizes Event Based Approval Mechanism
- Climate Change may Prompt Weed Attack
- CAS President Calls for S & T Innovation
- Global Status of Biotech Crops Discussed in Pakistan
- Plant Tissue Culture to Help Meet Pakistan Food Needs
- Biodiversity Law Takes Effect July 2009
- Temperature-Adapted Crop Varieties can Mitigate Climate Change Effects
- Pioneer and CAAS Signs Research Agreement
- Germany Re-evaluates GM Maize License
- Limited Release of GMO in Denmark and Romania
- EU MEPs to Improve Commitment to Millennium Development Goals
-
Research Highlights
- Maize was Domesticated in the Lowlands of Mexico 8,700 Years Ago
- Scientists Find Soybean Rust-Resistance Gene
- Aluminum toxicity Tolerance Breeding in Indonesian Soybeans
- Duo1 Plays Linchpin Roles in Plant Fertilization
-
Announcements
- International ISHS/ProMusa Symposium on Global Perspectives on Asian Challenges
- World Soybean Research Conference VIII
- China Bioindustry Convention
- Two Chinese Versions of CBU
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet