Multi-attribute optimization of sustainable aviation fuel production-process from microalgae source

Fossil fuel shortages, rising petroleum prices, worldwide demand for renewable energy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to anthropogenic activities are increasing interest in producing alternative biofuels like biodiesel. Biodiesel, a green alternative energy source, can be harvested from a variety of biological sources. Increasing energy security, improving rural development, and the transition to a low-carbon economy are all critical factors for the advancement of biodiesel production. In this sense, the advances, opportunities, and future perspectives in biodiesel production technologies are discussed, while their limitations and challenges are critically explained. The present study focuses on a variety of established catalytic technologies as well as the potential of emerging technologies and their future prospects. The current challenges of conventional technologies (high expenses, sensitivity to the presence of water and FFA percentage, overlap with food consumption, and adverse environmental impacts) prohibit growth in biodiesel production to its full potential. On the other hand, new alternative techniques discussed in this study (enzyme-catalyzed transesterification, whole-cell biocatalysts, magnetic-assisted transesterifications, and plasma-assisted transesterifications) overcome these bottlenecks and introduce opportunities for bulk industrial scale-up and growth in biodiesel usage by lowering the production costs. Moreover, applications of glycerol by-products (such as epichloridrin) along with the glycerol-free method have been discussed for the economical production of biodiesel. These alternative technologies, aside from their impact on the environment and reducing GHG emissions, can be considered the solution to fossil fuel shortages and high demand. To this end, more research on the industrial production scale-up of emerging technologies is essential. 

Emerging technologies for biodiesel production: Processes, challenges, and opportunities

Enhanced production of biodiesel using nanomaterials: A detailed review on the mechanism and influencing factors


 The trend of using alternative fuels has been on the boom to tackle fossil fuel depletion. The overuse of fossil fuel due to the rapid population and industrialization as well has led to the deficiency in fossil fuels. As a result, many alternative fuels have been found and have been in use as an effective replacement in terms of combustion and emission performance characteristics. However, the noise and vibration characteristics also have to be tested for ensuring the comfortability. This research paper discusses the importance and characteristics of noise and vibration of the taken test fuels. The test fuel was prepared from watermelon seeds that come under the category of biodiesel. Three biodiesel blends were prepared by mixing it with pure diesel such as WMB10% (90% of diesel + 10% of watermelon seeds biodiesel), WMB20% (80% of diesel + 20% of watermelon seeds biodiesel), WMB30% (70% of diesel + 30% of watermelon seeds biodiesel) and WMB0% (100% of pure diesel). The experimental tests were carried out in a single cylinder, four stroke, naturally aspirated, water cooled and direct injection (DI) diesel engine. At different engine rpm of 1000 rpm, 2000 rpm and 3000 rpm, noise and vibration characteristics were measured. The load was maintained at 100% for all experimental tests. From the results, it was clearly found that the noise and vibration of higher proportioned biodiesel was lower and the reduction was achieved at a significant level.

Assessment of the engine vibration and noise characteristics of an unmodified direct injection engine powered with non-feedstock Citrullus lanatus seed oil

Saurabh Saran

Papers

Recent advances in biodiesel production: Challenges and solutions