Chao-Chin Lai

Bio: Chao-Chin Lai is an academic researcher from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rice bran oil & Fatty acid methyl ester. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 507 citations.

Lipase-catalyzed production of biodiesel from rice bran oil

Abstract: Biodiesel has attracted considerable attention as an alternative fuel during the past decades. The main hurdle to the commercialization of biodiesel is the cost of the raw material. Use of an inexpensive raw material such as rice bran oil is an attractive option to lower the cost of biodiesel. Two commercially available immobilized lipases, Novozym 435 and IM 60, were employed as catalyst for the reaction of rice bran oil and methanol. Novozym 435 was found to be more effective in catalyzing the methanolysis of rice bran oil. Methanolysis of refined rice bran oil and fatty acids (derived from rice bran oil) catalyzed by Novozym 435 (5% based on oil weight) can reach a conversion of over 98% in 6 h and 1 h, respectively. Methanolysis of rice bran oil with a free fatty acid content higher than 18% resulted in lower conversions (<68%). A two-step lipase-catalyzed methanolysis of rice bran oil was developed for the efficient conversion of both free fatty acid and acylglycerides into fatty acid methyl ester. More than 98% conversion can be obtained in 4–6 h depending on the relative proportion of free fatty acid and acylglycerides in the rice bran oil. Inactivation of lipase by phospholipids and other minor components was observed during the methanolysis of crude rice bran oil. Simultaneous dewaxing/degumming proved to be efficient in removing phospholipids and other minor components that inhibit lipase activity from crude rice bran oil. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Biodiesel production through the use of different sources and characterization of oils and their esters as the substitute of diesel: A review

Abstract: The world is confronted with the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The indiscriminate extraction and consumption of fossil fuels have led to a reduction in petroleum reserves. Petroleum based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. These finite reserves are highly concentrated in certain region of the world. Therefore, those countries not having these resources are facing a foreign exchange crisis, mainly due to the import of crude petroleum oil. Hence it is necessary to look for alternative fuels, which can be produced from materials available within the country. Although vegetative oils can be fuel for diesel engines, but their high viscosities, low volatilities and poor cold flow properties have led to the investigation of its various derivatives. Among the different possible sources, fatty acid methyl esters, known as Biodiesel fuel derived from triglycerides (vegetable oil and animal fates) by transesterification with methanol, present the promising alternative substitute to diesel fuels and have received the most attention now a day. The main advantages of using Biodiesel are its renewability, better quality exhaust gas emission, its biodegradability and the organic carbon present in it is photosynthetic in origin. It does not contribute to a rise in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and consequently to the green house effect. This paper reviews the source of production and characterization of vegetable oils and their methyl ester as the substitute of the petroleum fuel and future possibilities of Biodiesel production.

Biodiesel production--current state of the art and challenges.

Abstract: Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel produced from grease, vegetable oils, or animal fats. Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of oils with short-chain alcohols or by the esterification of fatty acids. The transesterification reaction consists of transforming triglycerides into fatty acid alkyl esters, in the presence of an alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol, and a catalyst, such as an alkali or acid, with glycerol as a byproduct. Because of diminishing petroleum reserves and the deleterious environmental consequences of exhaust gases from petroleum diesel, biodiesel has attracted attention during the past few years as a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel. Since biodiesel is made entirely from vegetable oil or animal fats, it is renewable and biodegradable. The majority of biodiesel today is produced by alkali-catalyzed transesterification with methanol, which results in a relatively short reaction time. However, the vegetable oil and alcohol must be substantially anhydrous and have a low free fatty acid content, because the presence of water or free fatty acid or both promotes soap formation. In this article, we examine different biodiesel sources (edible and nonedible), virgin oil versus waste oil, algae-based biodiesel that is gaining increasing importance, role of different catalysts including enzyme catalysts, and the current state-of-the-art in biodiesel production.

A review of the current state of biodiesel production using enzymatic transesterification

Abstract: Enzymatic biodiesel production has been investigated intensively, but is presently employed industrially only in a 20,000 tons/year pilot plant in China (Du et al. [2008] Appl Microbiol Technol 79(3):331-337). This review presents a critical analysis of the current status of research in this area and accentuates the main obstacles to the widespread use of enzymes for commercial biodiesel transesterification. Improved results for enzymatic catalysis are seen with respect to increased yield, reaction time and stability, but the performance and price of the enzymes need further advances for them to become attractive industrially for biodiesel production. Critical aspects such as mass transfer limitations, use of solvents and water activity are discussed together with process considerations and evaluation of possible reactor configurations, if industrial production with enzymes is to be carried out. Results of published studies on the productivity of enzymes are also presented and compared to the use of chemical catalysts.