Biodiesel Chain Research Articles

Sustainable synthesis of acetals from glycerol as potential additives for biofuels under solvent-free conditions

Acetals formed from glycerol find applications in several areas, their use as fuel additives being the most promising, since it results in total integration in the biodiesel chain and eliminates one of the obstacles to its production.

Lab and pilot plant FAME production through enzyme-catalyzed reaction of low-cost feedstocks

The current production of biodiesel is carried out chemically, using noble vegetable oils of high cost, with low content of water and free fatty acids (FFA). The reduction of the costs of the biodiesel chain necessarily requires the use of low-cost raw materials, which come from discards or industrial waste. In this context, this work reports the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) using residual raw materials from the soybean oil industry (low cost), containing high free fatty acids content (98.5% wt). For conversion, the enzymatic process was employed using the low cost commercially available lipase (Eversa® Transform 2.0) supplied by Novozymes (Denmark). The results optimized in the laboratory presented yields >96% of FAME, demonstrating the viability of the process. In this way a pilot scale experiment (1 m3) was performed, successfully reaching yield of >97% FAME. From the results obtained, the enzymatic process becomes a promising alternative for the production of biodiesel, due to the possibility of using raw materials of low cost, high content of FFA and of low quality, with favorable economic issues, renewability and benefits sustainable development.

Variability of growth and oil characteristics of Jatropha curcas L. in North-east India

ABSTRACTSuccess of improvement of Jatropha curcas depends on wide germplasm from different agro-ecological regions showing specific and attractive traits. The present study aimed to compare characteristics of 28 jatropha accessions in the light of enhancing the viability of the oil-based biodiesel chain. The tested jatropha accessions showed a wide range of responses. The plant morphology (height, branching and leaves) also indicated some vigorous genotypes. The growth was accompanied by a wide range of leaf gas exchange (CO2 and moist) that gave water use efficiency values ranging between 0.5 and 8.5. The morphological and physiological differences had no significant influence on seed weight (67–76 g/100 seeds). Oil yield with a mean value of 27.93% can be considered a medium yield for jatropha; only few accessions had oil over 30%. However, differences were well evident in free fatty acid (1.4–28.7%), phorbol ester (PE, 1.1–4.3 mg/g oil), tocopherol (73.7–907.8 ng/mg oil) and unsaturated fatty acid (78.8–90.8%) contents. The present data support studies to correlate genetic, morphological, physiological and biochemical traits in each genotype considered for future selection of ideotypes with low undesirable free fatty acid contents, and potential valorisation of secondary oil products (PEs, tocopherols) to enhance the economic viability and sustainability of the jatropha oil-based biodiesel chain.

Effect of glycerin on digestibility of diets for pigs determined with different methodologies

Glycerin is a by-product from the biodiesel chain whose energy value can be beneficial to pig diets. In this study, eight barrows were distributed individually into metabolic cages in a completely randomized block design. The animals were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% glycerin from soybean oil and subjected to the methods of total feces and urine collection and chromic oxide marker. We determined the digestibility coefficients (DC); the dietary levels of digestible dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), an neutral detergent fiber (NDF); digestible energy (DE); metabolizable energy (ME); and these last two variables corrected for the nitrogen content (DEn and MEn). Digestible OM values increased linearly with glycerin inclusion in the diets. The digestible CP of the diets showed an inversely proportional relationship with glycerin inclusion levels. Digestible MM decreased linearly when determined by the total collection method and quadratically when determined by the marker method. There was a linear increase in the digestible and metabolizable coefficients of energy, DE, DEn, ME and MEn of the diets as the glycerin inclusion level was increased. Inclusion of up to 15% glycerin obtained from soybean oil production increased the digestible fractions of organic matter and energy of the diets.

Effect of glycerin on digestibility of diets for pigs determined with different methodologies

Glycerin is a by-product from the biodiesel chain whose energy value can be beneficial to pig diets. In this study, eight barrows were distributed individually into metabolic cages in a completely randomized block design. The animals were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% glycerin from soybean oil and subjected to the methods of total feces and urine collection and chromic oxide marker. We determined the digestibility coefficients (DC); the dietary levels of digestible dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), an neutral detergent fiber (NDF); digestible energy (DE); metabolizable energy (ME); and these last two variables corrected for the nitrogen content (DEn and MEn). Digestible OM values increased linearly with glycerin inclusion in the diets. The digestible CP of the diets showed an inversely proportional relationship with glycerin inclusion levels. Digestible MM decreased linearly when determined by the total collection method and quadratically when determined by the marker method. There was a linear increase in the digestible and metabolizable coefficients of energy, DE, DEn, ME and MEn of the diets as the glycerin inclusion level was increased. Inclusion of up to 15% glycerin obtained from soybean oil production increased the digestible fractions of organic matter and energy of the diets.

A simulation study about the impact of biodiesel use on the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro city

Abstract This study evaluates the impact of biofuels on the air quality of the city of Rio de Janeiro using an air quality model based on the trajectory model OZIPR associated with the SAPRC chemical model. The results show that the increase in biodiesel use reduces ozone levels in the atmosphere by 10.2 %, using Biodiesel with Ethanol and Diesel mixture (BE-Diesel), in 5.28 %, using B20 mixture and only 0.33 % using B10. An increase was observed in NOx emissions of 5.66 and 2.83 % for BE-Diesel mixture and B20, respectively. The low ozone levels are attributed to its consumption by NO. The CO concentration reductions for BE-Diesel, B20 and B10 were 13.11, 6.56 and 4.12 %, respectively. The presence of oxygen atoms within the biodiesel chain leads to a better combustion process, reducing CO emissions.

Estimating vulnerability to risks: an application in a biofuel supply chain

In the present work, we propose a theoretical model to identify and prioritize risks involved in a biofuel supply chain. We adopt a set of indicators associated with determinant factors of the supply chain to identify risks that are characterized through a risk matrix. We consider the five largest world biodiesel producers and included China due to its global market importance and potential impacts of its growth on the environment and society. To determine the impacts and the probability of occurrence of risks, we use the Canberra distance, as metrics. To facilitate the analysis and interpretation, a convenient manner is to express the results in terms of matrices. To exemplify the potentiality of the scheme and for the sake of simplicity, a more comprehensive discussion is focused on the Brazilian case, restricted to the Technology and Innovation, and Integration, Logistics and Infrastructure determining factors (dimensions) of the biodiesel supply chain. Concerning these determining factors, the Brazilian biodiesel chain shows strong vulnerability when compared with developed and developing countries, despite that the evolution of the data over recent years indicates small improvements in Integration, Logistics and Infrastructure dimension. Although in this work the calculations are restricted to the Canberra distance, the present approach may be applied to other distances to compare or validate the results. This work presents a contribution to model vulnerability to risks, providing to policy makers and stakeholders a tool to design, analyze and improve sustainability system by measuring its risks. The study of the contribution of each indicator suggests corrections to be taken and which indicators should be prioritized.

Integrating life-cycle assessment and multi-criteria decision analysis to compare alternative biodiesel chains

This is the author version of an article copyrighted by Springer. The journal version, after typesetting and proof revisions is available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10479-016-2329-7

A DENDEICULTURA NA AMAZÔNIA: ADOÇÃO DO PROJETO DENDÊ FAMILIAR EM UMA COMUNIDADE RURAL NO ESTADO DO PARÁ

An appropriate development model for the Amazon region has been discussed in the adoption of public policies that consider regional specificities. In this sense, the National Program for Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB) was established with the objective of implementing a sustainable program and promoting social inclusion of the participating farmers. In this context, this study aimed to deepen studies on the insertion of the oil palm culture as a state policy in Amazonian state of Para, presenting the results obtained from the experience of the rural community Calm II, Moju municipality. The methodology consisted primarily in the construction of theoretical framework through literature review and obtaining primary data by applying interviews forms in the community (n = 33). Then, it was carried out analysis of socioeconomic data through descriptive statistics, quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results showed that the idea of social inclusion in the community is limited to increasing the income of farmers, a fact that is at odds with the objectives of PNPB, but the activity have caused changes in their way of life, reaching impact on the local economy . In conclusion, the dependence of farmers on the existence of the project to enable their participation biodiesel chain was observed, and also the absence of monitoring and oversight as to meeting the criteria to consider PNPB a public policy for social inclusion and local development.

Synergistic inhibition of the seed germination by crude glycerin and defatted oilseed meals

The main co-products of biodiesel and biolubricant chains are defatted oilseed meals and crude glycerin, generally considered as by-products and mainly used in animal feeding, bioenergy production and other minor uses. However, these co-products could have other interesting features, and high value added outlets could be developed in order to significantly improve the overall economic and environmental impact of the entire biodiesel chain. When defatted seed meals derive from some specific oilseed crops belonging to Brassicaceae they are characterized by high levels of glucosidic molecules potentially able to release biologically active compounds by means of an enzymatic hydrolysis reaction. The second biodiesel chain by-product, crude glycerin, contains glycerol and some impurities (including water) up to 20%. This manuscript reports in vitro and in vivo bioassay results on the application of crude glycerin and defatted seed meals of some Brassicaceae species (Brassica carinata, Brassica nigra, Barbarea verna, Crambe abyssinica) in seed germination inhibition. These features open new perspectives for obtaining bio-based products for weed control, starting from both main co-products of the biodiesel chain. Indeed, the results confirmed the inhibitory effect of crude glycerin and seed meals used alone and, moreover, showed a synergistic activity when combined. As expected, the inhibitory activity was correlated to glycerol concentrations and to the quali–quantitative release of isothiocyanates from defatted seed meals.

Adaptability of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) high oleic hybrids to different Italian areas for biodiesel production

Currently the biodiesel chain is promoted by the European energy policy. For the Italian scenario the sunflower is one of the most important crop to be considered for biodiesel production but the chain is not fully profitable. This problem could be solved with the increase of farm incomes through a proper valorization of by-products. From this point of view the oilseed crop is not considered only for oil production but also for producing multiple products with the same economic value. This is the main inspiring concept of the Extravalore project. The sub-project “Raw Materials” investigated about the possible influence of different agro-technics performed in three distinct geographical environments (Northern, Central and Southern Italy) on the characteristics of by-products obtained from sunflower crop.A national net of experimental tests was set during the 2010–2013 period in order to evaluate the adaptability and the potential production of high oleic sunflower hybrids. 7 seed companies supplied the 20 genotypes assessed in total (18 high oleic hybrids and 2 as control), 11 of them were evaluated all the three years.Achene yields of tested high oleic hybrids were extremely variable: from 2.05tha−1 to 4.04tha−1 in Northern Italy, from 2.50tha−1 to 4.24tha−1 in Central Italy and from 2.09tha−1 to 2.68tha−1 in Southern Italy. For this reason, it was necessary a precise characterization of varieties before their cultivation. The cultivar screening showed general difficulty for high oleic hybrids to reach the performances of achene and oil yields of the conventional ones. In particular, LG55.57HO and PR64H31 resulted the best high oleic cultivars for Northern Italy; many of the high oleic tested cultivars performed well for Central Italy and also for Southern Italy but with a higher variability. The highest potential production was registered in Central Italy; Northern Italy gave decreased but similar results, despite the different latitude; in Southern Italy the productions were 20–30% lower, even with the irrigation support. All high oleic tested cultivars showed oleic acid content in lipid fraction always above the 84% in Central Italy, meaning a stability of the character, very important for the biodiesel production.

Extraction and characterization of brassinosteroids from residues of the biodiesel chain

Brassinosteroids are plant hormones whose stimulating activity on plant growth and development has been fully characterised and already investigated for agricultural applications. Straw and deoiled cakes, that are main residues from crops and processing for biodiesel production, of Brassica carinata and Brassica napus var. oleifera were analyzed for their content of brassinosteroids and compared to the concentrations detected in seeds. Brassinosteroids in these extracts were quantified by both HPLC analysis and bioactivity test, and a very high residual content was found in these by-products. B. carinata showed a higher concentration of brassinosteroids than B. napus var. oleifera. A new extraction method was optimized to accelerate the process. As brassinosteroids are hydrophobic compounds, then characterised by low water-solubility, the addition of HP-β cyclodextrin as coadjuvant was tested in order to improve their bioavailability in a commercial formulation for agricultural uses. These extracts were tested for their phytostimulating activity in pot-grown annual plants (lettuce and chard) under controlled conditions in a plant growth chamber. A significant increase of biomass yield was reached with both foliar and root treatments; no significant yield increased was observed when HP-β cyclodextrin was added. Then the formulation of a commercial bio-based product to be proposed as phytostimulant for agricultural uses is possible by extraction of brassinosteroids from residues of the biodiesel chain; this co-product can improve the addition value and reduce the environmental impact of a biodiesel biorefinery converting a byproduct, coproduct or residue in a source.

Quality of residues of the biodiesel chain in the energy field

The first generation biofuels still have the role of leader in global production of biofuels. In Europe biodiesel is produced mostly from rapeseed (Brassica napus L. oleifera Metzg) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The EU policy is giving attention to the valorization of residues deriving also from those chains. The present work had the objective of evaluating the quality of residues deriving from biodiesel chains based on rapeseed and sunflower crops as well as on other interesting crops in the Mediterranean area, such as Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.). For this purpose an energetic characterization of straws, hulls and press cakes were performed following the official technical normative, as well as the evaluation of their energetic potential. The energy content of residues resulted to be interesting and their quality compatible in general with an energetic use. Crop residues seem to have the most energy potential in quantitative terms, and their exploitation can improve the energy balance of first generation biodiesel production chain improving their sustainability. Concerning quality, crop residues should be employed in medium-large sized plants to limit problems related to plant management and emissions.

The role of co-products in biorefinery sustainability: energy allocation versus substitution method in rapeseed and carinata biodiesel chains

The paper analyzes biodiesel chains of rapeseed (Brassica napus) and carinata (Brassica carinata) cultivated in Central and Southern Italy, assessing the impact on Global Warming Potential by means of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. The production chains differed in use of the oilcake, as animal feed for rapeseed and as biofumigant for B. carinata. The allocation of emissions across co-products was first calculated on the basis of their energy content according to the criterion proposed by European Commission for biofuel production. The resulting impacts were then compared to those obtained through the substitution approach (system expansion method), which considers emissions that are saved by replacing the equivalent conventional product with co-product bio-based materials i.e. soybean meals, nematicidal fumigants, fertilizers and glycerol. The results showed that this method is sensitive to pointing out the importance of the valorization of co-products to the sustainability of bioenergy supply chain. Among the different options taken into consideration, in the case of the B. carinata biodiesel chain, the substitution of conventional fumigants and fertilizers with biofumigants and amendments is able to determine a global net saving of 134 g CO2eq per MJ of biodiesel, reversing the sustainability assessment obtained through the energy allocation method. Overall, the results suggest that, when planning future biorefineries, environmental assessment should take the substitution approach into account in order for valorization of co-products and diversification of processes to be rewarded.

Model framework to construct a single aggregate sustainability indicator: an application to the biodiesel supply chain

In the present work, we propose a model framework to select a set of sustainability indicators that provides reliable information on the system and use the results to analyze the suitability of four different metrics to describe the sustainability in a given context. We consider an approach that may be applied to study sustainability of a variety of systems and to aggregate 3D indicators into a single metric. Firstly, we identify an initial set of indicators that provides an adequate description of the sustainability conditions of a particular system and satisfy some criteria well established in the literature. Then, we use statistical tools to group the indicators into a valid set, according to their similarity using the inherent statistical information on their structure. This procedure simplifies the analyses of the complex system resulting in an optimum subset of indicators, reducing the dimension and improving the quality of the indicators. Once selected the indicators, established rules are used to aggregate commensurable indicators in a methodological manner into a single aggregate indicator. There is no generally accepted standard methodology to aggregate indicators into a single sustainability indicator. In general, the choice of a metric depends on the problem and on the units expressing the indicators. In the present work, this is analyzed studying four different metrics: Euclidean, Mahalanobis, Canberra, and z-score-normalized Canberra distances. This model framework is then applied to analyze a specific sustainability dimension of a biofuel supply chain in six countries, and compare and discuss the results obtained with the four metrics. It was found that among the four metrics, Canberra distance and Mahalanobis distance are the most adequate single aggregate metrics to describe the sustainability biodiesel chain in countries.

Potential in vitro degradability and gas production of the byproducts of the biodiesel chain

The objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro degradability and gas production from different byproducts of the domestic biodiesel industry ( Glycine max , Brassica napus L., Helianthus annuus and Raphanus sativus L.) using four increasing levels (0, 30, 50 and 70%) of replacement of Pennisetum purpureum . The inoculum for the in vitro incubations was obtained from three Holstein cows with rumen fistulas. Gas production was measured at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The experimental design was a completely randomized 4 × 4 factorial arrangement, with byproducts and their levels being the factors. The results showed a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) of all byproducts. A higher level of degradation was observed following 48 hours of incubation with Glycine max compared with other byproducts, but it did not reduce gas production; Raphanus sativus was the most efficient byproduct to reduce the total gas production. The lowest degradation was obtained with sunflower. All the studied byproducts may be used in the diet of ruminants as potential protein supplements. El objetivo de esta investigacion fue evaluar la produccion de gas y degradabilidad, mediante tecnica in vitro de diferentes subproductos para la industria nacional de biodiesel ( Glycine max , Brassica napus L., Helianthus annus y Raphanus sativus L.), en cuatro niveles (0, 30, 50 y 70%) sustitucion de Pennisetum purpureum . El inoculo para la incubacion in vitro se obtuvo de tres vacas Holstein con fistulas del rumen. La produccion de gas se midio 3, 6, 12, 24 y 48 horas despues de la incubacion. El diseno experimental fue completamente al azar en un arreglo factorial 4 × 4, con los factores que representan los subproductos y niveles. De acuerdo con los resultados de todos los subproductos estudiados mostraron un efecto significativo (P≤0,05) por las dietas. Glycine max en 48 horas de incubacion fue el subproducto que mostro una mayor degradacion, en comparacion con los demas, pero no redujo la produccion de gas, siendo el Raphanus sativus como subproducto eficiente para reducir la produccion total de gas. Todos los subproductos estudiados pueden ser utilizados en la dieta de los rumiantes, como posibles suplementos de proteinas.

Potential in vitro degradability and gas production of byproducts of the biodiesel chain

Potential in vitro degradability and gas production of byproducts of the biodiesel chain

BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS E A ECONOMIA VERDE INCLUSIVA: BUSCANDO O DESENVOLVIMENTO REGIONAL SUSTENTÁVEL NA AMAZÔNIA LEGAL BRASILEIRA

Biofuel production has been greatly discussed in Brazil. In 2004, some debates lead the country to develop new policies and implement the National Biodiesel Use and Production Program (PNPB), with the intent to increase the share of renewable energy and foster sustainable regional development. In this context, the present study aims to assess the linkages between family farmer’s living standard and the adoption of oil seed activity in northern Brazil, in a region of transition between the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and the Amazon rain forest. Ranges of socio-economic indicators were collected among smallholders who cultivate soybean. A fuzzy logic set theory based on living standard criteria and a non-linear probit model was applied to assess the inclusion of poor rural families in the biodiesel chain. Preliminary results point towards a negative relation between the family degree of deprivation and adoption of oil seed activity, for the soybean production.

Production of an enzymatic protein hydrolyzate from defatted sunflower seed meal for potential application as a plant biostimulant

An extensive protein hydrolyzate was produced starting from sunflower defatted seed meal, an abundant by-product of biodiesel chain oil extraction. Two-step enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out using sequentially Alcalase-Flavourzyme enzymes and a high quality hydrolyzate was produced with an interesting composition in terms of nutrient, amino acid, and peptide content for application in conventional and organic agriculture. The biostimulant properties of the hydrolyzate were investigated by carrying out auxin and gibberellin-like activity assays in Petri dishes on garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings and by conducting experiments in pot on maize plants. The sunflower hydrolyzate showed auxin-like, but no gibberellin-like activity and interesting effects on plant root elongation suggesting a potential use of the product as an effective biostimulant in the agricultural field.

<b><i>In vitro</i> degradability and total gas production of biodiesel chain byproducts used as a replacement for cane sugar feed

This study aimed to determine the in vitro degradability of dry matter and the total gas production of oil seed press cake from biodiesel production (Gossypium hirsutum L., Helianthus annuus L., Ricinus communis, Moringa oleifera L. and Pinhao manso curcas L.) at four different levels of replacement (0, 30, 50, and 70%) for cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum RB.) in ruminant feed. Inocula were prepared using the ruminal fluid of three Holstein cows, and data were collected after 48 hours of incubation. The byproducts of Moringa had the highest degradability, and castor presented the lowest values at all evaluated levels of replacement. Castor bean byproduct showed the highest total gas production, cotton showed the lowest production, and the byproduct of Moringa at the 70% level showed the best ruminal fermentation results. These results demonstrate that the use of oil seed press cake from biodiesel production (Helianthus annuus L. and Ricinus communis) can replace cane sugar in ruminant feed.