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Biofuels from algae

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In my opinion, the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals from algae is one of the most fascinating topics in the sector of the biorefineries and it will be one of the niches of opportunity with highest potential in the medium and the long terms. This post pretend to be a very basic approach to the topic Algae-to-Biofuels through three general key points. Algae 1,2,3,4,5 Algae include a wide variety of photosynthetic organisms capable of transforming light, water and specific nutrients into products that can be used with commercial and industrial purposes. We can say that algae are sunlight-driven factories with potential to convert CO 2 into biofuels, high-value biochemical, food and feed. There are four algae cultivation technologies currently in use for commercial algae cultivation and proposed for algal biofuel production: extensive or open ponds, intensive or raceway ponds, closed photobioreactors in many designs and closed fermenter systems. Algal biof
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Succinic acid biorefineries

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Publication date: 16/10/2015. Last update: 20/12/2016. Introduction The blog will open soon a new section focused on summarizing the information available about the commercial and pilot plants of the most promising Biobased Chemical Building Blocks (BCBB). The section will contain links to monographic posts updated in a regular basis. I have chosen bio-succinic acid to start the series because some companies have achieved important milestones related to its large-scale commercialization. Clearly, it is one of the DoE´s top 12 BCBB that it is fulfilling the previous generated expectations. Description 1,2,3 Succinic acid (butanedioic acid), is a diprotic, dicarboxylic acid with chemical formula C 4 H 6 O 4 . It is a water-soluble, colorless crystal with an acid taste. The name derives from Latin “succinum”, meaning amber, from which the acid was originally obtained by pulverising and distilling it using a sand bath. It is produced naturally as a product of cellul
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Biobased adipic acid

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Versión en Español Type of post: Fact sheet. Series: Biobased chemicals – Organic acids. Publication date: 25/05/2021. Last update: 25/05/2021. Description - C6 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. - White crystalline powder. - Other names: hexanedioic acid; 1,4-butanedicarbocylic acid. Applications - Monomer for the production of nylon 6,6. - Monomer for the production of polyurethane. - Manufacture of plasticizers and lubricants. - Gelling and acidulant agent (food grade). Conventional petrochemical route - Oxidation of cyclohexane to produce KA oil (cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol) / Nitric acid oxidation of KA oil. During the final reaction, the highly potent GHG nitrous oxide (N2O, 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide) is formed. It has been estimated that replacing the current petrochemical-based process with one employing renewable precursors will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95%, depending on the process used (1). Main biobased routes - [Muconic acid via] Fermentatio
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Hydrotreating (HVO) – Concepts, feedstocks and specifications

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Versión en Español Section: ADVANCED BIOFUELS Series: HVO - Hydrotreating (HVO) – Concepts, feedstocks and specifications - Hydrotreating (HVO) – Advantages over FAME and properties - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO) Biorefineries – The rise of renewable diesel - Posts: HVO                The acronym HVO stands for “ Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils ” or ” Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils ”. Key of the process: Treatment with hydrogen. In the HVO production process, hydrogen is used to remove the oxygen from the triglycerides producing a mix of linear paraffins, CO 2 and water. Then, the product of the first stage is isomerized, always in presence of hydrogen, in order to branch the linear chains for improving the cold flow properties of the final products. Thus, HVO are mixtures of paraffinic hydrocarbons, free of sulphur and aromatics and with a very high cetane number. The hydrocarbons created are similar to existing diesel fuel components which allows
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Biorrefinerías de ácido levulínico

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Fecha de publicación: 16/11/2015 Última actualización: 20/02/2016 Descripción 1,2 El ácido levulínico (también conocido como ácido 4-oxopentanoico o ácido γ-cetovalérico) es un compuesto orgánico con fórmula química C 5 H 8 O 3 . Es un sólido cristalino soluble en agua y en disolventes orgánicos polares. Contiene un grupo cetona y un grupo carboxilo cuya presencia posibilita patrones reactivos interesantes. Es uno de los “ Biobased Chemical Building Blocks ” más reconocidos, precursor de un amplio número de compuestos (véase el apartado Aplicaciones más abajo). De hecho, fue reconocido por el DoE como una de las principales moléculas plataforma del futuro y puede cubrir de manera eficaz muchas de las atribuciones de productos químicos y materiales procedentes del petróleo. Tecnologías de proceso 1,3,4,5 La degradación controlada de azúcares C6 mediante ácidos es el proceso más usado para preparar ácido levulínico a partir de biomasa lignocelulósica. Se han estu
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