Catalysts for Biofuels

Gregory T. Neumann, Danielle Garcia, and Jason C. Hicks 

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA 

Heterogeneous Catalysis at Nanoscale for Energy Applications, First Edition. Edited by Franklin (Feng) Tao, William F. Schneider, and Prashant V. Kamat. 2015 John Wiley Sons, Inc. Published 2015 by John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

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Since late 2007, the Energy Biosciences Institute in Berkeley has been the center for cooperation between scientists from the University of California and the Agricultural Department of the University of Illinois for the production of fuels from so-called energy crops like switch grass. In this second-generation biofuel project that is financed over a 10-year period with 500 million by oil company BP, biomass is converted with the help of synthetic catalysts, for example, organometallic compounds, in a special solvent medium, better known as ionic liquids, into hydrocarbons with properties close to automotive fuels. 

Hydrotalcites are of interest because of their ability to function as base catalysts, for example References [57-61]. In a very topical application, IFP have developed a biofuels process using Al, Zn and Ti mixed oxides [62]. The process is being commercialized by Axens. Figueras and coworkers [63]) have studied Mg-Al... 

Fundamental aspects of industrial catalytic processes are detailed including catalyst preparation, characterization, structure-property relationships, deactivation and defoul-ing, and catalyst regeneration methods. Examples of industrial processes that use different types of catalysts for chemical manufacture are also detailed. Identification and utilization of alternative resources for complementing our energy needs are addressed, which include renewable energy resources, oxygenated fuels, biofuels, fuel cells, and batteries. 

There has thus also been great interest recently in preparing novel solid base catalysts. One motivation is also given by the use of these basic catalysts in the production of biofuels. The most relevant example is the transesterification of vegetable oils (palm oil, soybean oU, jatropha oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, etc.). Figure 2.48 shows the scheme of the process. Transesterification reactions predominantly use homogeneous base catalysts, for example, sodium methoxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. The main differences between the commercial processes lie in the following ... 

F Klingsredt, A Kalantar Neyestanaki, R Byggningsbacka, L-E Lindfors, M Lunden, M Petersson, P Tengstrom, T Ollonqvist, J Vayrynen, Palladium based catalysts for exhaust aftertreatment of natural gas powered vehicles and biofuels combustion, Appl. Catal. A General, 209 301 - 316,2001. 

More Biochemical Connections Boxes In response to customers demand for more Biochemical Connection boxes, we have added several new boxes to the text, such as Lactic Acid—Not Always the Bad Guy, Biofuels from Fermentation, and Catalysts for Green Chemistry. ... 

Developing catalysts for the complete 12-electron oxidation of ethanol. Such catalysts are needed for efficient utilization of biofuels in fuel cells producing electric power, which, in the final analysis, is derived from solar energy, involving consumption (rather than liberation) of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. 

Simakova I, Rozmyslowicz B, Simakova O, Maki-Arvela P, Simakov A, Murzin DY. Catalytic deoxygenation of C18 fatty acids over mesoporous Pd/C catalyst for synthesis of biofuels. Top. Catal. 2011 54 460. 

Klingstedt, R, Neyestanaki, A., Lindfors, L., etal. (2000). Hydrothermally stable catalysts for the removal of emissions from small-scale biofuel combustion systems. React. Kinet. Catal. Lett., 70, pp. 3-9. 

The above outline highlights the need for liquid transportation fuels, particularly for the aviation and maritime transport applications. Already well established is the use of ethanol typically as blend-in fuel (E5 or ElO). A whole range of other biofuels is on the horizon, produced via chemical, physicochemical, or biological means. This review focuses on the role of prokaryotes in the production of biofuels. Prokaryotes are highly versatile catalysts for the production of both specialty and bulk biochemicals, and the present need for liquid biofuels gives major impetus to research on prokaryotic biofuel production. We will discuss the known feedstocks for biofuel production, production via pure cultures and microbial populations, and light-driven biodiesel generation. Finally, perspectives for prokaryote research and development in this field will be provided. 

ENSEL [The name is probably derived from NCL, the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, India, whose former director, Paul Ratnasamy, was the prime inventor of the catalyst for this process] A transesterification process for making biodiesel from vegetable oils, using a solid double metal cyanide catalyst. Developed in 2006 by the National Chemical Laboratory, India, and commercialized by Benefuel, a joint venture of Seymour Biofuels with SUd-Chemie. The first plant was built in Seymour, IN, from 2008. The novel catalyst was provided by Siid-Chemie India. 

State-of-the-art DMFCs have not been considered for use in vehicles, except small vehicles, because of the lower efficiency and power density. In addition, a carbon-free fuel would be preferable for use in FC-powered vehicles. Alternative fuels, oxidation catalysts, reaction medium, electrolyte membranes, and electrode preparation have been evaluated to obtain optimal DLFCs. L-Ascorbic acid (AA), widely known as vitamin C, has been proposed as a novel fuel that does not require the use of an anode catalyst metal. DLFCs that use ethanol and D-glucose as renewable biofuels have been studied and developed using an anion exchange membrane (AEM). Hydrazine fuel cells were reconsidered for use in transportation based on the application of recent PEMFC technology. A novel anode catalyst for NaBILj oxidation is also described. 

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