Sulaiman Al-Zuhair

Bio: Sulaiman Al-Zuhair is an academic researcher from United Arab Emirates University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biodiesel production & Biodiesel. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 110 publications receiving 3280 citations. Previous affiliations of Sulaiman Al-Zuhair include University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus & University of Malaya.

Production of biodiesel: possibilities and challenges.

Abstract: Biodiesel, defined as monoalkyl fatty acid ester (preferentially methyl and ethyl esters), represents a promising alternative fuel for use in compression-ignition (diesel) engines. Biodiesel fuel comes from renewable sources as it is plant- not petroleum-derived and as such it is biodegradable and less toxic. In addition, relative to conventional diesel, its combustion products have reduced levels of particulates, carbon oxides, sulphur oxides and, under some conditions, nitrogen oxides. Enzymatic production of biodiesel has been proposed to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional chemically catalyzed processes. The main obstacle facing full exploitation of the enzyme, lipase, potential is its cost. Therefore, reuse of lipase is essential from the economic point of view, which can be achieved by using the lipase in immobilized form. In addition, immobilized lipase displays improved stability and activity. Common immobilization techniques include attachment to solid supports and entrapment within the matrix of a polymer. This article presents a comparison between conventional processes and enzymatic processes and different possible feedstocks for biodiesel production. In addition, possible ways to overcome the problems facing the use of lipase are described. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Effective extraction of microalgae lipids from wet biomass for biodiesel production

Abstract: Producing biodiesel from lipid extracted from microalgae is a promising approach for sustainable fuel production. However, this approach is not yet commercialized due to the high costs of upstream processes that are associated with the time consuming and/or energy intensive drying, and lipid extraction processes. In this study, the possibility of avoiding the drying process, and extracting the lipid directly from the wet concentrated cells, using enzymatic disruption to enhance the extraction, has been tested. Results showed that lysozyme and cellulase were both efficient in disrupting cell walls and enhancing lipid extraction from wet samples, with highest lipid extraction yield of 16.6% achieved using lysozyme. The applicability of using supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) in extracting lipid from wet biomass was also tested and the highest yield of 12.5% was achieved using lysozyme. In addition, a two-step culturing process was applied, using Scenedesmus sp., to combine both high biomass growth and lipid content. The strain was able to increase its biomass productivity in the first stage, reaching 174 mg l−1 d−1, with almost constant lipid content. In the second stage, the lipid content was enhanced by six-fold after three weeks of nitrogen starvation, but with lower biomass productivity.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Abstract: ▶ Addresses a wide range of timely environment, economic and energy topics ▶ A forum to review, analyze and stimulate the development, testing and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional, national and global scales ▶ Contributes to real-time policy analysis and development as national and international policies and agreements are discussed and promulgated ▶ 94% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again

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

Abstract: 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.