Abstract
In this communication, we discuss various production methods as potential venues targeted towards alternative fuel generation. These will revolve around the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) process and biodiesel and hydrogen generation techniques. The implementation of membrane reactors in the production of fuels will be shown and discussed; and their advantages will be detailed. The main routes of hydrogen production are also detailed, which include autothermal reforming and biological process. This was done to compare the main advantages of various techniques for the production of hydrogen, as it is noted to be the most desired utility fuel that can serve various purposes. The application of membranes also facilitates an increase in the conversion of desired products while shifting the equilibrium of the reaction and reducing undesired by-products. Membrane reactors also overcome immiscibility issues that hinder conventional reactor processes. Membrane reactors are also demonstrated to reduce the difficulty in separating and purifying impurities, as they couple separation and reaction in one process. This shows drastic economic and energy requirement reductions in the amount of wastewater treatment associated with conventional fuel production reactor. Emphasis is also paid to catalytic membranes used for the production of biodiesel, which can also remove glycerol from the product line as an added advantage.
Highlights
The increase in the global population has led to greater fossil fuel consumption, and as a result, a significant increase of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere
Membrane reactors can enhance conversion and selectivity, reduce mass transfer limitations and have a greater thermal stability when compared to the conventional reactors
Membrane reactors have been mainly applied to homogeneous catalytic transesterification and heterogeneous catalytic transesterification to produce biodiesel
Summary
The increase in the global population has led to greater fossil fuel consumption, and as a result, a significant increase of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Recent fuel production technologies have focused on utilising renewable resources, in order to, be more sustainable and environmentally friendly Alternative fuels such as biodiesel and hydrogen, and the products from Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process are commercially produced to offer a solution towards the aforementioned problems. Hydrogen fuel can be produced from fossil fuels by using methods such as steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming It can be produced from non-renewable resources such as thermos-chemical treatment (TCT) and biological processes, and water splitting methods. Membrane reactors can improve the conversion and selectivity of the reactions, reduce mass transfer limitations and have a greater thermal stability, as opposed to the conventional reactors (Zhang et al, 2018) In this communication, we will discuss renewable fuel production routes and technologies in detail, which include biofuels, hydrogen and the FT process. An in-depth review of membrane reactors for renewable fuel production will be conducted to assess how conventional processes are intensified
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