Biobasiertes Glycerin – ein neuer Rohstoff für die chemische Industrie?

Glycerol that originates as a by‐product from the production of biodiesel is a bio‐based feedstock, which neither has the disadvantages of fossil resources nor can be used as food. It was studied in a life cycle assessment whether a use in the chemical industry leads to environmental advantages. The life cycle assessment of options of use of glycerol from the biodiesel production shows that a conventional material use without conversion is the environmentally most advantageous option. However, it is to be expected that not all glycerol can be used this way if the biodiesel production increases. In this case, innovative biotechnological conversions of glycerol to n‐butanol or 1,3‐propanediol as well as the use for energy production can be environmentally advantageous if especially the energy and resource efficiencies are further optimized.     

Zeitliche Darstellung des Alterungsverhaltens eines Oxidationskatalysators in einem Biogas-BHKW

The emissions released during the burning of biogas are subject to legal limits. In order to comply with these limits, exhaust aftertreatment is required by oxidation catalyst. Over time, decreasing pollutant conversion occur due to aging of the catalyst. Therefore, after only 1.5 years working time, compliance with the formaldehyde limit is no longer possible with certainty. The main reason is the deposition of inorganic compounds called oil ashes. These flue gas components from biogas engines block the catalytic active species and plugs pores.     

Abgasreinigung an Biomassekleinfeuerungsanlagen und experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Kombination von katalytischen und elektrostatischen Abgasreinigungsverfahren

Small‐scale furnaces for combustion of solid biomass can emit toxic or harmful gases and particulate matter. In this paper a representative selection of technologies for exhaust gas purification available on the market and in the development stage, respectively, is presented. Until now, no technology exists, which is able to reduce emissions of gaseous as well as solid pollutants from small‐scale combustion. The enquiry about the state of the art revealed that the combination of electrostatic precipitators with catalytic post‐combustion is a promising method. Results of experimental studies on such a combination are presented.