Papers by Keyword: Ethanol

Abstract: Molecular sieves have been applied to the triacylglycerides processing in the production of biodiesel through transesterification reaction. The purpose of obtain a material that has characteristics favorable to higher biodiesel conversion, this paper aims to synthesize molecular sieves SBA-15 and Al-SBA-15 on two reasons Si/Al (Si/Al= 10 and 100) evaluated in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil and investigate the potential of Si/Al ratios in the reaction over the acid each material. The catalysts were prepared by conventional hydrothermal method by varying the composition of the aluminum consequently altering the acidity of the material, since this reaction takes place in acid medium. The samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Spectroscopy in the infrared region by Fourier transform (FTIR). The results of the characterization of the catalysts have shown that the materials were successfully obtained, from the characterization observed. The biodiesel syntheses were conducted with soybean oil using ethyl alcohol 12: 1 relative to the oil and 5% of catalyst in the reactor with autogenous pressure. Were realized viscosity analyzes as conversion parameter of the vegetable oil into biodiesel. From the results of biodiesel viscosity was obtained a yield of 13% on average by using the Al-SBA-15. However, even not have remained within the specifications the standards of the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, catalysts showed efficiency compared with the SBA-15 in biodiesel synthesis.

Abstract: Production of ethyl ester biodiesel from a tranesterification reaction of used vegetable oil and ethanol was carried out using a sodium methoxide catalyst. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to investigate the effect of experimental factors on the fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) conversion. The design of the experiment involved a 5-level-4-factor central composite design and 30 runs were used to achieve the optimum percentage FAEE conversion that was determined by 1H-NMR. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the regression equation was 86.49% and the probability value (p<0.05) demonstrated a very good fit for the regression model. The optimum conditions obtained from RSM were 4% v/v of catalyst, 35.61% v/v of ethanol-to-oil, at 43.70°C reaction temperature, and 75.45 min of reaction time. The produced ethyl ester biodiesel was further purified by wet washing compared with dry washing using ion exchange resin. The result showed that the purified biodiesel by wet washing met the EN standard but the dry washing out put did not but only for the acid value. The blending of 10% v/v of purified biodiesel obtained from dry washing with 90% v/v of petrodiesel could decrease the acid value to meet the EN standard.

Abstract: Biodiesel is derived from triglycerides by transesterification with methanol or ethanol. In this study, used vegetable oil was transesterified with ethanol using sodium methoxide as catalyst. Parameter affecting the process transesterification were investigated follow this detail. The effects of catalyst to oil volume ratio (3-7:100 %v/v), ethanol to oil volume ratio (20-40:100 %v/v), reaction temperature (55-70 °C) and reaction time (15-90 min.) on the percentage conversion of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The FAEE and FAME conversion were detected by ¹H-NMR. The result showed that the maximum percentages at 84 % of FAEE and 16 % of FAME were obtained. These conversions were obtained at the catalyst to oil volume ratio of 4:100 %v/v, ethanol to oil volume ratio of 35:100 %v/v, temperature of 65 °C and reaction time of 75 min. The properties of mixed FAEE and FAME biodiesel were within the limits of EN standard. The confirmation result by ¹H-NMR and ATR-FTIR also indicated the conversion of used vegetable oil into biodiesel.

Abstract: Pd/C, Au/C, AuBi/C, PdAu/C, PdAuBi/C electrocatalysts (with different atomic ratios and 20 wt% of metal loading) were prepared by borohydride reduction method using a water/2-propanol mixture as solvent, Pd (NO₃)₂.2H₂O, HAuCl₄.3H₂O and Bi (NO₃)₃.5H₂O as metal sources, carbon black Vulcan XC72 as support and NaBH₄ as reducing agent. The activities of the prepared electrocatalysts for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium were investigated by chronoamperometry using the thin porous coating technique. Chronoamperometry experiments showed that PdAu/C (Pd:Au atomic ratio of 50:50) has superior activity and stability for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation compared with other catalysts.

Abstract: Ethanol is the most extensively used fuel in worldwide particularly for transportation sector. Recently, researchers are focusing in producing ethanol from crops and agricultural wastes. This work is aimed to utilize the banana and pineapple waste from processing industry for ethanol production and consequently help to reduce potential environmental issues. Batch enzymatic hydrolysis via simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) technology was carried out using Aspergillus terreus (fungi) and Kluyveromyces marxianus (thermo-tolerant yeast). Results revealed that maximum ethanol concentration of 0.35 g/L and 0.27 g/L could be achieved by utilizing banana and pineapple waste, respectively.

Abstract: As the hydrogen-rich gas produced by autothermal reforming from ethanol is utilized for the power generation via fuel cell, the change in amount of ethanol and water fed into the autothermal reformer has significant effects on the control of electricity generation and autothermal reaction temperature. The change of water and ethanol amounts affecting on the autothermal reformer temperature control system was studied in this work. An internal model control (IMC) method was designed to control the adiabatic reaction temperature of autothermal reformer by manipulating the input air flow rate. Theoretical analysis demonstrated that IMC method can realize desired performance to control the autothermal reaction temperature when the feed amounts were changed. The results of autothemal reformer control system with and without the feed temperature controller of the preheater unit were compared to offer the suitable control system.

Abstract: Bioethanol fuel produced from biomass and bioenergy crops has been proclaimed as one of the feasible alternative to gasoline in internal combustion engines. In this study, the effect of gasoline–ethanol–methanol (GEM) ternary blend on performance characteristics of petrol engine was studied. Three different fuel blends, namely, E0 (gasoline), G75E21M4 (75% gasoline, 21% hydrous ethanol and 4% methanol) and E25 (25% anhydrous ethanol and 75% gasoline) were tested in a 1.3-l K3-VE spark-ignition engine having four cylinders, dynamic variable valve timing, and electronic fuel injection. The experimental results revealed that using G75E21M4 fuel blend increased the air-fuel ratio, engine power, torque, brake thermal efficiency, and mean effective pressure compared to E0 and E25, however, fuel consumption also increased.

Abstract: With the demand for Biofuels growing – worldwide – and with the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), much would be gained, from an environmentally and economically, from increasing efficiency and offer of biofuels. Biofuels produced in algae farms enable a close relationship with ethanol plants. Such algae feeds off Carbon Dioxide from biomass burned in ethanol plants and boilers, so, along with Brazil’s privileged solar incidence, this allows conversion of GHG to biofuel. The goal of our study was to investigate ethanol plants as productive systems to understand how adding algae farms could change energy efficiency and emissions. The system analyzed includes the sugarcane sowing, plantation, handling, harvesting, industrial activities, and ethanol distribution. Our aim, from this analysis and using primary data from a company that builds algae farms, is to estimate the output of algae biofuel and decrease of GHG emissions in the process. The results from the Plant Studied show that adding an algae farm to its grounds would improve energy efficiency by almost three times, while generating four times less GHG in the production chain. If the plant chose to produce exclusively Biodiesel, production of B100 Biodiesel would be enough for their diesel needs for 19 years, with a 78.4% cleaner fuel in terms of GHG. Approximations show that if all the cane mills add algae farms in Brazil, Biodiesel generation would be equivalent to almost 70% of the Brazilian production of diesel from 2012.

Abstract: Ca (OH)₂ sorbent with novel pods bundle structure were successfully synthesized by precipitation method by using Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as cationic surfactant. The effects of CTAB on the morphologies of Ca (OH)₂ sorbent were investigated. The results showed that the presence of CTAB could significantly differ the shape and particle size of the Ca (OH)₂ sorbent which synthesized in ethanol media at 35°C for 30 minutes. The XRD pattern indicated that the as-prepared product were well-crystallized hexagonal phase of Ca (OH)₂ sorbent. Possible mechanisms for the CTAB assisted particle growth of Ca (OH)₂ sorbent are discussed. The Ca (OH)₂ sorbent have been studied by thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) at a 650oC carbonation temperature. The morphological changes and particle size of the sorbent have greatly influenced the CO₂ capture performance.

Abstract: In this paper, TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) were synthesized through simple chemical hydrothermal treatment process when anatase TiO₂ nanopowder is chemically treated with 10 M NaOH and >99.5% ethanol at 180°C for 24 hr. According to the transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image analysis TNTs tubes were formed in the length sizes from 400 to 700 nm with inner diameter of 5 nm and outer diameter of 8 nm. The morphological and structural properties of synthesized TNTs was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS).