Universiti Teknologi Petronas

About: Universiti Teknologi Petronas is a education organization based out in Ipoh, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Adsorption & Ionic liquid. The organization has 6127 authors who have published 11284 publications receiving 119400 citations.

Patent landscape review on biodiesel production: Technology updates

Abstract: Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats. Compared with fossil fuels, it has the potential to alleviate environmental pressures and achieve sustainable development. In this paper, 1660 patents related to biodiesel production were reviewed. They were published between January 1999 and July 2018 and were retrieved from the Derwent Innovation patent database. The patents were grouped into five categories depending on whether they related to starting materials, pre-treatment methods, catalysts, reactors and processing methods, or testing methods. Their analysis shows that the availability of biodiesel starting materials depends on climate, geographical location, local soil conditions, and local agricultural practices. Starting materials constitute 75% of overall production costs and, therefore, it is crucial to select the best feedstock. Pre-treatment of feedstock can improve its suitability for processing and increase extraction effectiveness and oil yield. Catalysts can enhance the solubility of alcohol, leading to higher reaction rates, faster biodiesel production processes, and lower biodiesel production costs. Moreover, the apparatus and processes used strongly affect the oil yield and quality, and production cost. In order to be commercialized and marketed, biodiesel should pass either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards or European Standards (EN). Due to increases in environmental awareness, it is likely that the number of published patents on biodiesel production will remain stable or even increase.

Fourth generation biofuel: a review on risks and mitigation strategies

Abstract: Fourth generation biofuel (FGB) uses genetically modified (GM) algae to enhance biofuel production. Although GM algae biofuel is a well-known alternative to fossil fuels, the potential environmental and health-related risks are still of great concern. An evaluation of these concerns and accordingly devising appropriate mitigation strategies to deal with them are important to a successful commercialized production of FGB. While extensive research has been carried out on genetic modification and other technologies that aim to increase the productivity of algae strains, only a handful of them deal with the legislative limitations imposed on exploiting and processing GM algae. This paper examines this legislation and the mitigation strategies to meet potential risks associated with the exploitation and processing of FGB. Open-pond system is an economic solution for large-scale cultivation of microalgae; however, the concern regarding the health and environmental risk of cultivating GM algae and the associated stringent regulations is considered as the main barrier of FGB production. Disposal of the residue is another important issue that should be considered in FGB production. The byproducts obtained from energy extraction step and residual water from the harvesting process may contain plasmid or chromosomal DNA that may cause the risk of lateral gene transfer. Hence an appropriate mitigation practices should be used for replacement of the hazardous water residue and by-products with more environmentally friendly alternatives. The results obtained from several field testing projects for open-environment exploitation of GM algae show that under the various conditions used, there was no apparent proof to support possible horizontal gene transfer in release of GM algae.

A critical review on TiO2 based photocatalytic CO2 reduction system: Strategies to improve efficiency

Abstract: The massive burning of fossil fuels to fulfill the augmenting energy demands of world have triggered the ever-increasing emission of carbon dioxide (CO2); the main cause of global warming. Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into solar fuels and chemicals using everlasting solar energy seems promising technology to contemporaneously curb the globa1 warming and partially fulfill the energy requirements. This study focused on understanding the main challenges in photocatalytic CO2 reduction systems and strategies to improve the efficiency of solar fuels production. The overview of fundamentals and latest developments in titania (TiO2) based photocatalytic CO2 reduction systems have been discussed. More specifically, thermodynamics, mass transfer, selectivity and reaction mechanism of photocatalytic CO2 reduction are critically deliberated. In the main stream, developments have been categorized as strategies to enhance the different aspects such as visible light response, charge separation, CO2 adsorption and morphology of photo-catalysts for TiO2 based photocatalytic CO2 reduction systems. Different modification techniques to overcome the low efficiency by fabricating advance TiO2 nanocomposites through surface modifications, doping of metals, non-metals and semiconductor are discussed. The challenges lingering on against achieving the higher photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into solar fuels are also investigated. In conclusion, brief perspectives and recommendations on the development of efficient photocatalysts are outlined which would be of vital importance for the improvements of conversion efficiency of CO2 reduction system.