In Situ Raman Analysis for the Production of Biofuel Using a Heterogeneous Layered Double Hydroxide Catalyst

摘要

As the world’s energy consumption is rapidly increasing many efforts are being made to produce renewable and sustainable fuel sources that provide independence, or at least displacement, from fossil fuels. Many of these renewable sources include sunlight, wind energy, geothermal energy, and the conversion of plant based biomass into biofuels. The conversion of vegetable oils into biodiesel is a highly viable option for supplementing fossil fuel energy. Unfortunately, most biodiesel is produced from oils stemming from row-crops, which take up viable land resources needed for food crops. One promising alternative is microbially-produced oils (MPOs) where microorganisms feed on industrial and municipal wastewaters. MPOs, however, contain high concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs), unlike most row-crops. Under conventional biodiesel processes, high concentrations of FFAs in oil feedstocks significantly complicate conversion and separation of the fuel produced. However, if dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is used as a substitute for methanol, the formation of an unwanted glycerol byproduct is avoided. In addition, the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, in our case triazabicyclodecene bound to Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (TBDLDH), process wash water is not required for separation of fuel components from catalyst salts.