What is it about?

This research proves that the Co-Ca loaded SiO2-Al2O3 is a viable catalyst in the deoxygenation (DO) process which produces hydrocarbon-based green diesel. The researchers managed to confirm efficiency of silica-alumina (SA) supported NiO-CaO deoxygenizing triglycerides-based feedstock in a previous study. However, the SA catalyst is not coke-resistant. In the present study, the researchers used the aforementioned mesoporous acid-base catalyst which proves to yield higher and more consistent DO activity. The formation of coke is still reported in this study due to usage of non-edible oil with high content of unsaturated alkyl fatty acid.

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Why is it important?

This study is bound to improve the biomass conversion process (deoxygenation) of high selectivity hydrocarbon-based biofuel. The progress of the biomass conversion process potentially signifies that the production of quality green diesel can be done at a more economically-friendly and less complex manner. Undoubtedly, advancement in this area may offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel, preventing depletion of natural resources and resolving energy crisis.

Perspectives

With the ever-growing threat of climate change, biofuel is a potential deal breaker that could help attenuate backlash caused by the depletion of fossil fuels. Pure biodiesel is not applicable due to various reasons which beckons the need for catalytic processes such as deoxygenation. Deoxygenation is viewed as a much better option as it is a highly-sustainable and cost-effective procedure. Researchers are working to improve and perfect the deoxygenation/ biomass conversion process in the hopes achieving UN’s seventh Sustainable Development Goal of creating affordable, clean energy.

Lee Hwei Voon
University of Malaya

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Promoting deoxygenation of triglycerides via Co-Ca loaded SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 catalyst, Applied Catalysis A General, February 2018, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2017.12.020.
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