New Method to Convert Algae Biofuel to Jet Fuel and Gasoline

Biofuels have attracted much attention because of the declining amount of fossil fuels across the world and the rise of global warming. Some algae are known to produce more oil than terrestrial plants, and so they can be a promising source of oil. Japanese researchers have developed a new method of converting squalene, which is produced by microalgae, to jet fuel and gasoline. This study is part of a research project titled ’Next-generation energies for Tohoku recovery. Task 2: R&D on using algae biofuels’.

Researchers treated squalane with this catalyst and hydrogen at 60 atm and 240 degrees Celsius to produce smaller hydrocarbons. These branched hydrocarbons are good components for gasoline and jet fuels because of their high octane number, low freezing point and good stability. This catalytic system makes good use of the squalene’s branched structure, while conventional methods are more suitable to straight-chain molecules in petroleum. The produced hydrocarbons compose of only branched alkanes with simple distribution and do not contain toxic aromatics.

Researcher Use Algae to Make Nanocellulose for Biofuels
Behind a new project, scientists believed that they have reached an advanced stage in their effort to turn algae into solar-powered factories for producing the wonder material nanocellulose.

The results will be published in ChemSusChem.

Source-IANS

Know How Plant Biomass can be Converted into Biofuels More Efficiently
Plant genetic advance could lead to more efficient conversion of plant biomass to biofuels, reveals a new study.

Researchers Find Untapped Source of Biofuels in Seeds of Indian Trees
Indian researchers have identified an untapped source of biofuels after finding that seeds from mahua and sal trees may be as good as biodiesel.

New Metabolic Pathway to More Efficiently Convert Sugars into Biofuels Developed By UCLA Engineers
A new synthetic metabolic pathway for breaking down glucose that could lead to a 50 percent increase in the production of biofuels was created by UCLA chemical engineering researchers.