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As an alternative to petro-diesel fuel, biofuel known as green fuel has showed considerable potential and can be produced through a variety of hydrotreating reactions mainly catalysed by solid catalysts. Carbon is one of the most popular catalyst/ catalyst supports in biofuel production due to its physical, chemical, and mechanical stability, high versatility, cost worthiness and abundance. To impart or improve unique catalytic activity, carbon can be chemically functionalized and/or adorned with metallic nanoparticles. Carbon produced from biomass and produced via two-stage process (carbonization, and activation), this process required for altering activation conditions, pore sizes and active sites of AC can be controlled to cater for different usage. Numerous studies have been found for utilization of carbon supported catalyst in the hydrotreating or related biofuel process. Indeed, the vastness the usage of carbon as a base for catalytical processes for biofuel production has led to the current article, where this provides a review of current technology responsible for producing carbon material as well as pros and drawbacks of each processing method. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive perspective of topics revolving carbon-based catalysts and its variations, including production, usage prospects in biofuel production, advantages and disadvantages and future prospects of carbon as a base for catalytical processes in biofuel productions. [Display omitted] • Carbon exhibited excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical stability, high versatility, cheap and abundance. • Chemically functionalized and/or adorned with metallic nanoparticles change the carbon properties. • Pore sizes and active sites of AC can be changed by chemically and physical treatment. • Carbon supported catalyst effective in hydrotreating or related green diesel process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomass is a renewable source of energy. Diesel can be synthesized from biomass using different production methods. Diesel from bio-resources is divided to FAME and renewable biodiesel. FAME biodiesel is produced from the transesterification of vegetable oils and fats. Renewable diesel is produced by hydro-deoxygenation of vegetable and waste oils and fats. While FAME biodiesel can be mixed with petro-diesel. Renewable diesel is a diesel like bio-substitute which can be used instead of petro-diesel. Throughout this article, catalysts used for producing FAME and renewable biodiesel are presented. The different technologies and production methods employed for FAME and renewable biodiesel synthesizing are discussed. Finally, the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of FAME and renewable biodiesel formation reactions are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder diesel engine by using Calophyllum Inophyllum biodiesel blends with TiO 2 nano additives and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The Calophyllum Inophyllum biodiesel-diesel blend was prepared by mixing 20% of Calophyllum Inophyllum biodiesel with 80% diesel (B20) in volumetric approach. The TiO 2 nanoparticles were dispersed into a B20 fuel with a dosage of 40 ppm to prepare the B2040TiO 2 fuel sample. The tests were conducted on a diesel engine by using B20, B2040TiO 2 , B20 + 20%EGR, B2040TiO 2 + 20% EGR fuel samples at different load conditions. The brake thermal efficiency of B2040TiO 2 , B2040 TiO 2 + 20%EGR fuels increased by 3.1%, 2.5%, and decreased by 1.8% for B20 + 20%EGR fuel compared to the B20 fuel at full load condition. The CO and HC emissions were reduced with the addition of TiO 2 nano particles to the B20 fuel and increased with the EGR method compared to the B20 fuel. The smoke emissions were increased by 16.23% and 12% for the B20 + 20%EGR and B2040TiO 2 + 20%EGR fuel samples compared to the B20 fuel at full load condition. The NOx emissions were reduced with the EGR technique and increased with the addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles to the biodiesel blend compared to the B20 fuel. It is concluded that Calophyllum Inophyllum biodiesel blend (B20) with the addition of TiO 2 nano particles and EGR technique exhibits better engine performance and reduced emissions compared to the other fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop an efficient and feasible catalyst for converting inedible vegetable oil to green biodiesel via a one-step decarboxylation process, a series of Ni-based MgO-Al 2 O 3 catalysts with different active Ni species were fabricated by adjusting the various Ni loading amounts (2.5–20%) and applied to the catalytic deoxygenation of OA to generate green biodiesel. Additionally, the structure-property relationship, deactivation mechanism and regeneration performance were also evaluated via various characterization technologies (XRD, BET, NH 3 -TPD, H 2 -TPR, XPS, SEM-EDX, HRTEM, TGA, Raman as well as GC/MS and UV-fluorescence spectra). The experimental results indicated that Ni introduction obviously enhanced the conversion ratio. Ni (10%)/MgO-Al 2 O 3 catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance with the highest HCs (95.12%), olefin content (57.37%) and green biodiesel content (75.90%) due to mild Brønsted-rich acidity sites, lower reduction temperature, higher active metallic Ni species content, suitable oxygen vacancy content and favorable texture properties via the decarbonylation reaction pathway. Furthermore, lower Ni loading was beneficial to gasoline and bioaviation fuel generation due to higher Brønsted-rich acidity sites and total acid amount, which boosted C-C scission by cracking reaction, and higher Ni content facilitated biodiesel formation. Additionally, Ni (10%)/MgO-Al 2 O 3 catalysts showed excellent reusability and regeneration due to Ni active species, but these advantages were slightly decreased (HCs: from 95.12% to 61.63%; biodiesel: from 75.90% to 57.52%) due to coke deposition and metal active species leaching and oxidation. [Display omitted] • Ni/MgO-Al 2 O 3 catalyst successfully converted OA to green diesel under H 2 -free ambient. • Ni//MgO-Al 2 O 3 is more favorable for biodiesel production with maximum yield of 75.90%. • The number of Ni active sites, reducibility, and acidity affected the deoxygenation performance. • Green diesel was obtained via the dominant decarboxylation pathway of oleic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the influence of renewable fuels, including three kinds of biodiesel along with ethanol on the physical properties and structural characteristics of particulate matter (PM) emitted from a diesel engine in comparison with pure diesel. After adding 10 vol% of grape seed biodiesel, coffee biodiesel and eucalyptus oil into diesel, three biodiesel blended fuels (10% grape seed biodiesel (DGs10), 10% spent coffee ground biodiesel (DC10) and eucalyptus oil biodiesel (DEu10)) were produced and tested in this study. Besides, one ethanol blend containing 9 vol% of ethanol and 1 vol% of biodiesel (blend stabilizer) was also tested to do the comparison. In the present study, scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed for analyzing the microstructure, nanostructure and electron diffraction pattern of PM. Raman spectrometer (RS) was also used for the analysis of structural characterization of PM. In addition, several experimental instruments like microbalance, measuring cup, viscometer, oxygen bomb calorimeter and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) were employed to detect the fuel properties, including density, heating value, viscosity, composition and cetane number. A conclusion can be drawn that both biodiesel blends and ethanol blend have a changing effect on the PM properties compared to pure diesel, where biodiesel blends have a slightly weaker influence than ethanol blend. Regarding the biodiesel blends, DGs10 has more impact than DC10 and DEu10 in changes of PM properties, particularly in the reduction of PM mass, making it a good candidate for renewable fuel for diesel engines. [Display omitted] • Analyzing physical properties and structural characteristics of particle matter (PM). • Examining PM of diesel engine fueled with diesel, three biodiesel blends and ethanol. • Biodiesel and ethanol can impact the environment and human health through PM changes. • Ethanol blend has more influence than biodiesel blends on the PM properties changes. • DGs10 has more influence than DC10 and DEu10 on the PM properties changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on world news briefs. Topics include U.K.-based chemical company, Ineos announcing the plans for building an acetonitrile unit at the acrylonitrile plant in Cologne, Germany; and U.S.-based specialty chemical producer Milliken announcing the acquisition of masterbatch producer, Zebra-chem, for an undisclosed sum.

In this paper, a structure-activity controllable synthesis of ternary skeletal CuAlZn catalyst for NaHCO 3 hydrogenation to produce formic acid was first investigated. Several kinds of Cu alloy and/or the synthetic methods were considered and their catalytic activities for hydrogenation of NaHCO 3 were discussed. The results found that skeletal CuAlZn-2.5 h catalyst exhibited great catalytic activity to afford the maximum value of 86.1% of formic acid with 6 MPa H 2 at 200 °C for 4 h. Reusability showed skeletal CuAlZn-2.5 h could still keep high catalytic activity for at least three times repeat. The present study provides an efficient and eco-friendly method for formic acid synthesis through the hydrogenation of NaHCO 3 or/and CO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation sector is one of the largest sources of EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2011, transportation represented approximately 25 percent of total EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. Urban mobility accounts for 40% of all CO 2 emissions of road transport and up to 70% of other pollutants from transport. As, transportation and mobility play a crucial part both in urban economics and the quality of life, it is of great significance to ensure a low carbon transportation sector, so as to deal with the threat that climate change poses to urban areas. This study examines the factors that affect the production of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as well as of air pollutants, in 9 major European cities, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the actual knowledge on the atmospheric pollution from public transportation systems. CO 2 emissions as well as air pollutants, such as CO, HC, PM, NOx are calculated for the diesel and CNG bus fleets of the European cities under study. Finally the environmental benefits, in terms of CO 2 and CO, HC, PM, NOx emissions reductions, from the penetration of different biodiesel blends (from B10 to B100) to the bus fleets are estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whale watching industry has grown in economic significance in recent years, however, the negative externalities of the activity have been understudied, especially those linked to fuel consumption. This study focuses on the case study of Icelandic whale watching, an industry that attracted 364,000 whale watchers in 2019. Using damage functions and the benefit transfer method, with trip and vessel data provided by three whale watching companies, this study calculates the estimated economic value of fuel externalities from Icelandic whale watching vessels. Outcomes are compared between vessels fueled by diesel and renewable electricity. The mean marginal external costs per kWh are $0.0520 and $0.0005 for diesel and electric vessels, respectively. Mean marginal external costs per trip are $190 for diesel ships, $126 for diesel Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), and $0.25 for electric schooners. Assuming that all trips have been conducted at 50% of their maximum passenger capacities, the mean marginal external cost per passenger per trip is $3.64 for diesel ships, $21.00 for diesel RIBs and $0.009 for electric schooners. If the burden of the external costs fell on the whale watching operators, then Iceland's carbon tax per liter of diesel would need to increase by 45.33%, and diesel prices increase by 18.81%, and electricity prices would need to go up by 0.92%. On the other hand, if the burden of the external costs fell entirely on the tourists, whale watching ticket prices would increase by 3.87–4.28% for diesel ships, 13.38–13.55% for diesel RIBs, and 0.01% for electric schooners. The results suggest there is considerable merit to shifting from the use of fossil fueled to electric boats, however, these outcomes should only currently be generalized to other locations with a similarly high level of production from renewable electricity. • Evaluation of fuel externalities for diesel and electrically fueled whale watching boats in Iceland. • Externalities per kWh approximately 10 times higher for diesel than renewably fueled electric boats. • Study outcomes imply that increases are required to Iceland's carbon tax and diesel prices. • Findings support greater use of renewable electricity to fuel whale watching vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that U.S.-based refiner, Chevron has decided to acquire Renewable Energy Group (REG) for billion dollars.

To develop efficient, economical and environmentally friendly Mo-based bimetallic Al/MCM-41 catalysts for catalytic oleic acid pyrolysis into hydrocarbon-like upgrading biofuel, a series of metal-modified Mo-based catalysts was successfully synthesized. The effects of different metal oxide types (Zr, Zn, Pt, Cu, Co, Ce, Ni) and Ce to Mo mixed ratios were compared and characterized by XRD, BET, NH 3 -TPD, XPS, SEM and TEM technologies. Simultaneously, the deoxygenation effect and reusability properties were also evaluated by Py-GC/MS and TGA. The results showed that the molybdenum-based bimetallic catalyst exhibited superior deoxygenation activity (Ce>Cu>Zn>Ni>Zr∼Pt>Co) in the decarbonylation and decarboxylation pathways. Higher deoxygenation activity was related to rich surface Ce-□-Mo synergistic oxygen vacancies, suitable metal-Lewis and Brønsted acidity and excellent textural properties. A higher Ce content was beneficial to HC and aromatic formation due to a higher specific surface area and mesoporous volume, and a higher Mo content facilitated olefin and alkane conversion due to a higher Brønsted acid intensity and smaller pore size. The 3Ce-1Mo/Al-MCM-41 exhibited excellent catalytic activity and promising reusability by yielding 97.72% hydrocarbons, 75.33% aromatic content and 57.92% MAHs due to the synergistic effect between Ce and MoOx, rich surface Ce-□-Mo synergistic oxygen vacancies and suitable metal-Lewis and Brønsted acid intensities that contributed to better reaction activity and coke resistance and activated the C O of oleic acid. The slight reduction in HCs was mainly due to the loss of active metal sites and coke deposition. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of Ce and MoOx species obviously advanced the reaction activity and coke resistance. [Display omitted] • The deoxygenation effects of seven different modified Al-MCM-41 were compared in catalytic pyrolysis of oleic acid. • Ce-Mo/Al-MCM-41 showed best deoxygenation performance due to high Brönsted acidity and rich Ce-□-Mo vacancies. • The 3Ce-1Mo/Al-MCM-41 catalyst exhibited the highest hydrocarbon yield (97.72%) and aromatic selectivity (75.33%). • Green diesel was obtained via the dominant decarboxylation pathway of oleic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a type of mono-alkyl ester, biodiesel exhibits great potential to serve as the base oil of drilling fluids substituting for conventional oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs). This paper presents a series of laboratory investigations of water-in-biodiesel (invert) emulsion as the basis of a high-performance, environmentally friendly, and low-cost biodiesel-based drilling fluid (BBDF). Biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil was used to formulate a BBDF because of its high flashpoint, reliable storage stability, acceptable elastomeric material compatibility, nontoxicity, and excellent biodegradability. In light of the results of tests used to measure various properties, the biodiesel invert-emulsion chemistry, including the required hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB), optimal emulsifier, effects of different additives (organophilic clay, calcium chloride, and lime), as well as hydrolytic stability, was studied. A biodiesel invert emulsion that remains stable after hot rolling at 120°C for 16 hours can be prepared with correct combinations of additives, thereby offering a firm foundation for designing BBDFs. The novel emulsifier package developed in this work is introduced as an achievement in the comprehensive usage of waste cooking oil because its feedstock is identical to that of biodiesel. An initial economic analysis of the use of biodiesel for drilling is also presented. Details of the formulations and properties of BBDFs derived from this fundamental research are discussed in another paper (Part 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physio-chemical properties of locally available waste cooking oil (WCO), jatropha oil (JO) - Jatropha curcas , rubber seed oil (RSO) - Hevea brasiliensis , kapok seed oil (KSO) - Ceiba pentandra and castor oil (CO) - Ricinus communis were characterized to assess and evaluate their potential use as renewable diesel production feedstock in Malaysia. Physio-chemical properties such as density, kinematic viscosity, moisture content, flash point, calorific value, iodine value, acid value and fatty acid composition were determined under standard analytical methods established by American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Among the non-edible oil evaluated, the promising physio-chemical properties of RSO and WCO were found to be most applicable to serve as the raw feedstock due to its low iodine content, high free fatty acid content and high flash point. Furthermore, RSO feedstock can reach up to the capacity of 60 million ton per annum with a total 1.2 million hectares of existing rubber tree plantation in Malaysia, which is approximately 500-fold more than that of the annual waste cooking oil available in Malaysia (0.12 million ton per year). Thus, it can be concluded that RSO has the most promising potential in serving as the raw material for renewable diesel production in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent trends in biofuel research outcome mainly focused on the conversion of vegetable oil to the value added hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrodeoxygenation is one of the promising route for clean energy production. In this study, triolein was selected as the model compound representing rubber seed and jatropha seed oil to produce straight chain hydrocarbon. The thermodynamic equilibrium analysis was carried out using Aspen HYSYS software to study the thermodynamic interaction between hydrogen to triolein molar ratio, reaction pressure and temperature. The study revealed that thermodynamically, the optimum feed molar ratio of H2 to triolein is at 5:1 and pressure of 70 bar produced high amount of desired products, The selectivity for C18 decreases with the increased of temperature, as well as the ratio of C17/C18. The by products such as methane and propane are resulted from several side reactions, namely methanation, thermal cracking and reverse water gas shift reaction. This can possibly be minimized by using efficient and effective catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever growing world energy demands, depletion and price of petroleum reserves, and environmental concerns are enormous challenges in today's scenario. For meeting the demand, alternate fuels are considered as an obvious choice owing to their renewability and environmental friendliness. Among the possible alternatives, processing of vegetable oil for biofuel production has gained considerable attention due to its ease of operation and integration with existing oil refining processes. Typically, transesterification based processes have been developed for production of biodiesel whereas hydroprocessing routes are developed to convert vegetable oil to green diesel and Bio-aviation turbine fuel (Bio-ATF) fraction using non-edible/edible vegetable oils as a feedstock. Accordingly, the present review is aimed at understanding of process aspects of various available processes. Based on the reviewed processing options, the merits and demerits of the developed routes have been highlighted and possible approaches for development of glycerin free biodiesel routes are envisaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the biological response of soluble organic fraction (SOF) and water-soluble fraction (WSF) extracted from particulate matter (PM) emitted by an automotive diesel engine operating in a representative urban driving condition. The engine was fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), and its binary blends by volume with 13% of butanol (Bu13), and with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) at 13% (HVO13) and 20% (HVO20). Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative DNA damage and ecotoxicity tests were carried out, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) expressed as tbenzo(a)pyrene total toxicity equivalent (BaP-TEQ) were also analyzed. The Hepatocarcinoma epithelial cell line (HepG2) was exposed to SOF for 24 h and analyzed using comet assay, with the inclusion of formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) and endonuclease III (Endo III) to recognize oxidized DNA bases. The WSF was evaluated through acute ecotoxicity tests with the aquatic microcrustacean Daphnia pulex (D. Pulex). Results showed that there was no cytotoxic activity for all tested SOF concentrations. Genotoxic responses by all the SOF samples were at same level, except for the HVO13 which was weaker in the absence of the enzymes. The addition of the FPG and Endo III enzymes resulted in a significant increase in the comet tail, indicating that the DNA damage from SOF for all tested fuel blends involves oxidative damage including a higher level of oxidized purines for ULSD and Bu13 in comparison with HVO blends, but the oxidized pyrimidines for HVO blends were slightly higher compared to Bu13. The WSF did not show acute ecotoxicity for any of the fuels. Unlike other samples, Bu13-derived particles significantly increase the BaP-TEQ. The contribution to the genotoxic activity and oxidative DNA from SOF was not correlated to BaP-TEQ, which means that the biological activity of PM might be affected also by other toxic compounds present in particulate phase. [Display omitted] • Biological toxicity risk of PM was assessed for butanol and renewable diesel fuel blended with ULSD. • Ecotoxicity of the water-soluble fraction was addressed through D. Pulex neonates. • Genotoxic activity was partially induced due to oxidative damage of the nitrogenous bases (purines or pyrimidine). • None of the PM fuel samples exhibited cytotoxic nor ecotoxic activity. • All PM samples exhibited genotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrodeoxygenation of methyl palmitate into long-chain hydrocarbon is one of the most effective technologies for the production of alternative bio-diesel. But the development of non-sulphided Ni based catalysts with high hexadecane yield and excellent catalytic stability is still a challenge. In this work, a series of Ni/MgAl 2 O 4 , Mo/MgAl 2 O 4 and NiMo/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts are prepared by the wetness impregnated method. The physical-chemical property and catalytic performance for the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl palmitate of all catalysts are investigated. The characteristic results indicate that Ni-MoO x composites with metallic Ni covered by the MoO x species are formed for NiMo/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts. The introduction of MoO x reduces the size of bimetallic particles and the electron transfer from Ni to MoO x improves the H-spillover effect. Furthermore, more oxygen vacancies and acid sites of NiMo/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts effectively promote the production of hexadecane via the hydrodeoxygenation pathway. Owing to these modifications, NiMo/MgAl 2 O 4 reveal significantly improved catalytic performance and the Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst with Ni/Mo mass ratio of 1:1 demonstrates the highest pentadecane and hexadecane total yield of 92.0%. Additionally, the C 15 /C 16 molar ratio over the Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst is only 1.63, suggesting enhanced hydrodeoxygenation pathway and less carbon emission. Moreover, the long-term test of 60 h indicates that the Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst reveals excellent catalytic stability due to the less carbon deposition and more stable support structure. Therefore, this work has provided an effective method for the design of Ni based catalysts for the production of the green diesel. [Display omitted] • The Ni−MoO x composites in the NiMo/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts are formed with Ni particles covered by the MoO x species. • The Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst shows the highest C 15 + C 16 yield of 92.0% due to the electron transfer from Ni to MoO x. • The promotion of HDO pathway significantly reduces the C 15 /C 16 molar ratio over the Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst. • The Ni 1 Mo 1 /MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst keeps excellent catalytic performance after long-term tests due to high hydrothermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]