Catalyst for Green Biodiesel Production from Unrefined Feedstock

A durable catalyst developed for green biodiesel production from low grade feedstock through one-step catalysis

Biodiesel is a sustainable liquid fuel originated from biomass. However, traditional liquid biodiesel catalyst generates a huge amount of waste water in the final purification procedure.

A new class of solid catalyst is developed by precise surface chemistry engineering to catalyze the biodiesel production. With excellent adaptability to low grade unrefined feedstock like waste cooking oil, the catalyst can provide complete solution to the waste water problem. In addition, it operates at a significant lower temperature and pressure as compared with the existing solid biodiesel catalyst due to its high catalytic activity, which can reduce the energy and cost required for biodiesel production.

Special Features and Advantages
• One-step biodiesel production from low grade unrefined feedstock
• No washing with fresh water required for biodiesel produced
• Operates at low temperature and pressure which can reduce
the cost
• The catalyst demonstrates excellent reusability and robustness

Applications
This new catalyst is designed for one-step energy saving biodiesel
synthesis from low grade unrefined feedstock containing high free
fatty acid and water content with no post-production washing
required. Toxic methanol used can also be replaced by ethanol or
propanol which makes the process more sustainable.

Awards
• Gold Medal - 43rd International Exhibition of Inventions of
Geneva, Switzerland (April 2015)
• Thailand Award for Best International Invention from The National
Research Council of Thailand - 43rd International Exhibition of
Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland (April 2015)

Published: 18 Aug 2015

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http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ife/corp/cntimgs/techsearch/2_ABCT_02_0315.pdf Original article by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University