Challenges and considerations for planning toward sustainable biodiesel development in developing countries: Lessons from the Greater Mekong Subregion

Biodiesel has the potential to economically, socially, and environmentally benefit communities as well as countries, and to contribute toward their sustainable development. Nonetheless, the complex nature of biodiesel development makes it susceptible to exogenous problems that could hinder sustainable development. To ensure that biodiesel development actually leads to a sustainable path, all possible issues and challenges need to be identified and analyzed up front, so that they can be prepared for and handled in the planning and management stages. Building upon lessons learned from biodiesel developments in the Greater Mekong Subregion, this work examines biodiesel development in developing countries in the aspects of policy, governance, management, infrastructure, technology, feedstock, impacts on the rural poor and local livelihood, climate change, and the environment. Issues within each aspect are also analyzed in the context of developing countries. As a result, this review can serve as a guideline for ensuring that biodiesel development contributes toward sustainable development in developing countries.     

Effect of synthesis time on morphology of CeO_2 nanoparticles and Au/CeO_2 and their activity in oxidative steam reforming of methanol

Ceria(CeO_2)supports,synthesized by hydrothermal treatment with different synthesis time(CeO_2-X h,where X is the synthesis time in h)in the presence of the surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide,were used as supports for gold(Au)catalysts.The synthesis time significantly affects the morphological structure and crystallite size of CeO_2,where CeO_2-2 h has the smallest crystallite size with coexisting nanorods and nanoparticles.Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirms the morphology of CeO_2 with distinctive(110),(100)and(111)planes,in agreement with interplanar spacings of 0.19,0,27 and 0.31,respectively.However,the morphology of CeO_2-8 h and CeO_2-48 h is mainly a truncated octahedral with crystal planes(111)and(100)accompanied by an interplanar spacing of 0.31 and0.27 nm,respectively.The CeO_2-X h supports and those with a 3 wt%Au loading(Au/CeO_2-X h)were investigated in the oxidative steam reforming of methanol at temperatures between 200 and 400 ℃.The Au/CeO_2-2 h gave the highest methanol conversion level and hydrogen yield at a low temperature of 250 ℃.This superior catalytic performance results from the good interaction between the metal and support and the well-distributed Au species on the CeO_2 support.     

Oxidation stability of biodiesel fuel produced from Jatropha Curcas L using Rancimat and PetroOXY method

In the present work, the oxidation stabilities of oil biodiesel fuel from Jatropha curcas L were investigated by using both Rancimat and PetroOXY test method. Three types of conventional antioxidants, i.e. butylated hydroxytoluene, 6,6-di-tert-butyl-2,2-methylenedi-p-cresol, and commercialized amine, were employed and the oxidation stability effects of those additives were examined. Oxidation stability was influenced differently depending on the type of antioxidants and their concentrations. The obtained experimental data from Rancimat and PetroOXY test methods resulting in a linear correlation at various mixtures shows the potential use of PetroOXY test method for future analytical oxidation stability test. In this research, the changes in the chemical properties of fuel sample, such as: peroxide value, acid value, composition, and kinematic viscosity, obtained from the experimental work were thoroughly discussed.     

Effect of Metal Type on Partial Hydrogenation of Rapeseed Oil-Derived FAME

Supported SiO₂ catalysts were studied for the partial hydrogenation of rapeseed oil-derived fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for improving its oxidative stability. The effect of metal type: Pt, Pd, and Ni, on catalytic activity and cis–trans selectivity was investigated. Hydrogenation activity was studied in terms of turn over frequency (TOF) of C18:3, C18:2, C18:1, and C18:0 FAME. The highest TOF of C18:3, C18:2, and C18:1 was found for Pd catalyst. However, C18:0 TOF of Pt is higher than that of the Pd catalyst. The higher in C18:0 TOF can explain the low selectivity towards trans-monounsaturated FAME of the Pt catalyst, which is due to the subsequent hydrogenation of the intermediate trans-monounsaturated to saturated FAME. On the other hand, Ni showed the lowest TOFs when compared with the Pt and Pd catalysts.     

Influence of alcohol addition on properties of bio-oil produced from fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus bark in a free-fall reactor

Fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus bark was carried out in a free-fall pyrolysis unit at different temperatures ranging from 400 to 550 °C to produce bio-oil, char and gas. The bio-oil produced at optimum temperature was mixed with alcohols with an aim to improve its properties. The results showed that the maximum bio-oil yield of 64.65 wt% on dry biomass basis could be obtained at the pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C. The addition of a small proportion (2.5–10%) of alcohol into the bio-oil could improve its viscosity, stability and heating value. These effects were further enhanced when increasing the alcohol.