Biodiesel
Lecture 1
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Microscopy-approaches-to-screening-oleaginous-and-Sant-Ferreira/fb1fd68d7fa6831316427564ddad95d314af23d4
Energetic Biotechnology
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, used cooking oils or algal biomass. It serves as an environmentally friendly replacement for traditional diesel fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The idea of using biodiesel dates back to the 1890s when Rudolf Diesel developed an engine that could run on vegetable oils (initially – peanut oil). However, due to the availability and low cost of petroleum, fossil diesel became the primary fuel. Interest in biodiesel resurged during the 1970s oil crisis, leading to advancements in its production technologies.
1970s Oil Crisis and the Birth of Modern Biodiesel
The 1973 and 1979 oil crises renewed interest in alternative fuels, including biodiesel.The first commercial production facilities for biodiesel began appearing in the 1980s in countries like Germany, where biodiesel was initially produced from rapeseed oil.
In the 1980s, Europe became the center for biodiesel development. By the late 1990s, U.S. states started adopting biodiesel as a cleaner alternative for fleets and agricultural machinery.
The early 2000s marked a period of expansion for the biodiesel industry globally. The European Union (EU), through its Biofuels Directive (2003) and Renewable Energy Directive (RED), promoted the use of biodiesel in the transportation sector as part of broader climate and energy goals.
Today, biodiesel is produced and used globally, with the European Union, United States, and Brazil being major markets. It is blended with traditional diesel fuel in various proportions (e.g., B5, B20, and B100) and is used in transportation, agriculture, and industry.
Biodiesel (FAME and HVO) production movements by zone (in billions of liters)
Types of biodiesel
Biodiesel (FAME, fatty acid methyl esters) | Produced through transesterification, where vegetable oils or animal fats react with an alcohol (usually methanol, sometimes - ethanol) in the presence of a catalyst (like sodium or potassium hydroxide) to form fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerin as a byproduct. This process results in a product that is chemically different from petroleum diesel but can be blended with it (e.g., B20: 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel). Can be used in blends with petroleum diesel (e.g., B5, B20) but often cannot be used as a 100% replacement (B100) without modifications to the engine or fuel system. |
Renewable or Green Diesel (G-Diesel, HVO, hydrotreated vegetable oil) | Produced through hydrotreating, a process where oils and fats are treated with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst. This process converts the oils and fats into hydrocarbons, which are chemically similar to those found in petroleum diesel. The result is a fuel that is essentially a drop-in replacement for fossil diesel. Fully compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure. It can be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil diesel (up to 100%). |
Mtoe – millions tonnes
https://3fuel2020.com/biodiesel/
https://www.astra-agro.co.id/en/2020/07/15/indonesia-produces-maiden-batch-of-biodiesel-made-of-100-palm/
Video (5 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nyx7Rm7V34
Video (5 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG7E0BY1jcI
Transesterification
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/684
Transesterification
Oil, alcohol, and a catalyst undergo transesterification. From there they are mixed methyl esters from which crude glycerol is removed. The crude glycerol goes into a separator under heat and a vacuum in which alcohol is removed. It then goes through a water wash and is neutralized with acid to produce neutralized glycerol. The other remaining mixed methyl esters from transesterification go into a different separator which removes any alcohol. They then undergo an extraction using water and move into a second separator under heat and a vacuum that removes any water. This yields biodiesel.
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/684
Hydrotreating
Examples of catalysts:
1% Pt/Al2O3,
0.5% Rh/Al2O3,
NiMo/Al2O3,
Ni/cAl2O3,
Ni/ZrO2,
Pd/ZrO2 etc.
In the HVO production process, hydrogen is used to remove the oxygen from the triglycerides producing a mix of linear paraffins, CO2 and water. Then, the product of the first stage is isomerized, always in presence of hydrogen, in order to branch the linear chains for improving the cold flow properties of the final products. Thus, HVO are mixtures of paraffinic hydrocarbons, free of sulphur and aromatics and with a very high cetane number. The hydrocarbons created are similar to existing diesel fuel components which allows blending in any desired ratio without any concerns regarding fuel quality.
https://biorrefineria.blogspot.com/2019/11/hydrotreating-hvo-concepts-feedstocks-specifications-renewable-diesel.html
Hydrotreating
Schematic of the HVO biodiesel process and production of bio-jet fuel (bioaviation fuel, BAF)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378382017305842
Hydrotreating is also the most commercially established method for producing bio-based jet fuel. The resulting hydrocarbons are further refined to match the molecular structure and properties of jet fuel. Isomerization helps adjust the structure for better cold flow properties. The final product is separated into different fractions, including jet fuel and renewable diesel. The resulting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is chemically similar to conventional jet fuel and can be blended with fossil-based jet fuel up to 50%.
Classification of biodiesel:
produced from vegetable oils such as soybean, rapeseed, palm, or sunflower oil
utilizes waste cooking oils from restaurants or food production facilities
being developed as a promising technology, using microalgae as feedstock due to their high lipid content
Classic
From used oils
From microalgae
Classic biodiesel
https://sites.lafayette.edu/egrs352-sp15-biofuels/benefits/
Video (8 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_doR7WEdIok
Biodiesel from used oils
Video (4 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CILkOwUWts
Video (3 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdJOMqXOMQQ
Video (3 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NATYL-HWmDI
Biodiesel from microalgae
https://www.cwejournal.org/vol17no1/biofuel-formation-from-microalgae
--a-renewable-energy-source-for-eco-sustainability
Video (30 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM9uSRrdDaY
Video (4 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3JzTF9IKqs
Video (2 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWrjx3fj4lo
Video (4 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_HbQ5cWSk
Advantages of Biodiesel
Biodiesel is made from renewable resources like vegetable oils (soybean, rapeseed, palm, etc.), animal fats, and microalgae. Unlike fossil fuels, these resources can be replenished through agricultural practices and cultivation.
Biodiesel combustion emits significantly lower amounts of CO2, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter compared to traditional diesel, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, which reduces the risk of environmental pollution in the event of spills or leaks.
Renewable Resource:
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Biodegradability
Advantages of Biodiesel
Biodiesel can be used in existing diesel engines with little to no modification, making it an attractive alternative for transitioning to cleaner fuels without requiring extensive changes to vehicle infrastructure.
The use of biodiesel reduces dependence on fossil fuels and enhances energy security by utilizing locally available resources.
Biodiesel has better lubricating properties than traditional diesel, which can extend engine life and improve overall efficiency, especially when blended with conventional diesel.
Compatibility with Existing Diesel Engines:
Reduction in Dependence on Fossil Fuels
High Lubricity
Perspectives of Biodiesel Development
Second-Generation and Advanced Feedstocks:
End of Lecture 1