http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/78793/1/Progress%20in%20chemical-looping%20combustion%20and%20ref....2012.pdf

Progress in chemical-looping combustion and reforming technologies

In recent years, Carbon Capture and Storage (Sequestration) (CCS) has been proposed as a potential method to allow the continued use of fossil-fuelled power stations whilst preventing emissions of CO2 from reaching the atmosphere. Gas, coal (and biomass)-fired power stations can respond to changes in demand more readily than many other sources of electricity production, hence the importance of retaining them as an option in the energy mix. Here, we review the leading CO2 capture technologies, available in the short and long term, and their technological maturity, before discussing CO2 transport and storage. Current pilot plants and demonstrations are highlighted, as is the importance of optimising the CCS system as a whole. Other topics briefly discussed include the viability of both the capture of CO2 from the air and CO2 reutilisation as climate change mitigation strategies. Finally, we discuss the economic and legal aspects of CCS.

Carbon capture and storage update

As the fossil fuels are depleting day by day, there is a need to find out an alternative fuel to fulfill the energy demand of the world. Biodiesel is one of the best available resources that have come to the forefront recently. In this paper, a detailed review has been conducted to highlight different related aspects to biodiesel industry. These aspects include, biodiesel feedstocks, extraction and production methods, properties and qualities of biodiesel, problems and potential solutions of using vegetable oil, advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel, the economical viability and finally the future of biodiesel. The literature reviewed was selective and critical. Highly rated journals in scientific indexes were the preferred choice, although other non-indexed publications, such as Scientific Research and Essays or some internal reports from highly reputed organizations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Information Administration (EIA) and British Petroleum (BP) have also been cited. Based on the overview presented, it is clear that the search for beneficial biodiesel sources should focus on feedstocks that do not compete with food crops, do not lead to land-clearing and provide greenhouse-gas reductions. These feedstocks include non-edible oils such as Jatropha curcas and Calophyllum inophyllum , and more recently microalgae and genetically engineered plants such as poplar and switchgrass have emerged to be very promising feedstocks for biodiesel production. It has been found that feedstock alone represents more than 75% of the overall biodiesel production cost. Therefore, selecting the best feedstock is vital to ensure low production cost. It has also been found that the continuity in transesterification process is another choice to minimize the production cost. Biodiesel is currently not economically feasible, and more research and technological development are needed. Thus supporting policies are important to promote biodiesel research and make their prices competitive with other conventional sources of energy. Currently, biodiesel can be more effective if used as a complement to other energy sources.

A comprehensive review on biodiesel as an alternative energy resource and its characteristics

Pyrolysis is one of the thermochemical technologies for converting biomass into energy and chemical products consisting of liquid bio-oil, solid biochar, and pyrolytic gas. Depending on the heating rate and residence time, biomass pyrolysis can be divided into three main categories slow (conventional), fast and flash pyrolysis mainly aiming at maximising either the bio-oil or biochar yields. Synthesis gas or hydrogen-rich gas can also be the target of biomass pyrolysis. Maximised gas rates can be achieved through the catalytic pyrolysis process, which is now increasingly being developed. Biomass pyrolysis generally follows a three-step mechanism comprising of dehydration, primary and secondary reactions. Dehydrogenation, depolymerisation, and fragmentation are the main competitive reactions during the primary decomposition of biomass. A number of parameters affect the biomass pyrolysis process, yields and properties of products. These include the biomass type, biomass pretreatment (physical, chemical, and biological), reaction atmosphere, temperature, heating rate and vapour residence time. This manuscript gives a general summary of the properties of the pyrolytic products and their analysis methods. Also provided are a review of the parameters that affect biomass pyrolysis and a summary of the state of industrial pyrolysis technologies.

Lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis: A review of product properties and effects of pyrolysis parameters

Development of Biochar-Based Functional Materials: Toward a Sustainable Platform Carbon Material

The present global economy downturn affects every corner of the world including the vehicular fuel industry. This paper highlights some of the perspectives for the biodiesel industry to thrive as an alternative fuel, while discussing benefits and limitations of biodiesel. This includes the improvement of the conversion technology to achieve a sustainable process at cheaper cost, environmentally benign and cleaner emissions, diversification of products derived from glycerol, and policy and government incentives. More specifically, an overview is given on making the production process more economical by developing high conversion and low cost catalysts from renewable sources, and utilizing waste oil as feedstock. Further emphasis is given on the need for public education and awareness for the use and benefits of biodiesel, while promoting policies that will not only endorse the industry, but also promote effective land management.

Perspectives on biodiesel as a sustainable fuel

Experimental and computational study of gas¿solid fluidized bed hydrodynamics

Assessment of four biodiesel production processes using HYSYS.Plant.

A State-of-the-Art Review of Gas-Solid Turbulent Fluidization

A promising catalyst based on a biomass pyrolysis by-product, biochar, has been developed for the production of biodiesel Two carbon-based solid acid catalysts were prepared by sulfonating pyrolysis char with concentrated or fuming sulfuric acids Prepared catalysts were studied for their ability to catalyze transesterification of vegetable oils and esterification of free fatty acids The catalyst sulfonated with the concentrated sulfuric acid demonstrated considerable conversion in free fatty acid esterification, while indicating limited transesterification activity Using the stronger sulfonating reagent, fuming sulfuric acid, resulted in much higher transesterification activity Further investigation of the latter catalyst was conducted to determine the effect of sulfonation time (5 and 15 h) and surface area on the transesterification reaction The surface area of the biochar was increased by chemical treatment using 10 M potassium hydroxide through porosity development The resulting four catalysts were compared for their catalytic activity Results showed the catalyst with the highest surface area and acid density to have the highest catalytic activity for the production of biodiesel from canola oil in the presence of methanol as the reagent Furthermore, the catalyst with the higher surface area indicated higher transesterification activity among the catalyst with similar acid densities The effects of alcohol to oil (A:O) molar ratio, reaction time and catalyst loading on the esterification reaction catalyzed by the sulfonated biochar were also investigated Free fatty acid (FFA) conversion increased with increasing A:O molar ratio, reaction time and catalyst loading The catalyst has a tremendous potential to be used in a process converting a high FFA feedstock to biodiesel

Naoko Ellis

Papers

Perspectives on biodiesel as a sustainable fuel

Experimental and computational study of gas¿solid fluidized bed hydrodynamics

Assessment of four biodiesel production processes using HYSYS.Plant.

A State-of-the-Art Review of Gas-Solid Turbulent Fluidization

Biochar based solid acid catalyst for biodiesel production