Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Catalysis is an important area in the renewable energy landscape, where biomass may be converted to clean, sustainable fuels. Catalytic methods may be applied to the processing of agricultural residues and forestry byproducts, algae, and other bio-based feedstocks for producing biofuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. This session introduces catalytic methods that make more efficient, cheaper, and environmentally sound ways of biofuel production feasible as part of the transition to renewable energy.

Catalysis is the key function of breaking down the hard organic molecules in biomass to simple molecules that will be used as fuels. Biodiesel is synthesized from oils and fats using the catalysis process, along with sodium or potassium hydroxide being among the commonly applied catalysts for transesterification purposes. Biodiesel is a near-zero-emission fuel that can be used either pure or blended with diesel without any reason for modification of the existing infrastructure. Simultaneously, ceaseless catalysis innovation propels new catalysts that enhance biodiesel production yields; provide access to waste oils and non-edible plant oils as feedstock sources; and support a more sustainable lifecycle production of fuels.

Bioethanol production also gains from catalytic innovations. The enzyme acts as a biocatalyst to break down starches and cellulose into fermentable sugars that would later on be fermented into ethanol in the production of bioethanol. More advanced enzyme catalysts that have improved efficiency enable the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural residues and woody plants, which otherwise would not be used in food. Therefore, bioethanol is known to be a renewable substitute for gasoline and offers the chances for transport, power generation, or as chemical feedstock.

Catalytic processes also comprise the production of the other products, which are biogas and bio-oils. For instance, in anaerobic digestion, the microorganisms act as the catalysts for processing organic wastes into biogas, primarily composed of methane, that will be used for heating, electricity or to offer the transportation product. Catalytic conversion of biomass by pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction also produces bio-oils that subsequently can be upgraded into liquid fuels. Such technologies are very important solutions for waste management whereby organic waste streams are converted into renewable sources of energy.

Another catalytic strategy in biofuel production for upgrading bio-oil and its quality is through hydroprocessing, which actually encompasses hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation. Removing the oxygen species from the bio-oils through hydroprocessing produces fuel products compatible with available infrastructure, including gasoline and jet fuel. In hydroprocessing of bio-oil catalysts that include materials with metals such as nickel and palladium, among others, is utilized for effective conversion into high-quality fuels, the comparison of which is equally to that of fossil fuels.