Extraction Energy Consumption Research Articles

Catalytic cracking of wax esters extracted from Euglena gracilis for hydrocarbon fuel production

Wax esters (WEs) synthesized by Euglena gracilis are potential sources for alternative fuels because of their high productivity, recent success in mass cultivation, and low energy consumption in extraction. In this study, deoxygenation of Euglena WE and conversion to hydrocarbons in a catalytic cracking process under a hydrogen-free atmosphere was investigated using a residue fluid catalytic cracking equilibrium catalyst with enhanced hydrogen-transfer activity. The deoxygenation of Euglena WE proceeded more rapidly with higher H2O selectivity than that of saturated triglycerides. This is because initial β-elimination of WEs produces saturated fatty acids and higher olefins; the higher olefins rapidly release hydrogen species during cracking, cyclization and aromatization, and the hydrogen species accelerate hydrodeoxygenation of the saturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the cracking of Euglena WE produced large amounts of paraffins and olefins instead of aromatics. Therefore, Euglena WE was confirmed to be a preferable feedstock for the catalytic cracking process for hydrocarbon fuel production.

Management of Social and Ethical Impacts from the Product Life Cycle of High End Wrought Aluminium Products

There is a growing interest to use recycled low-grade aluminium wrought alloys in high end structural components in the automotive industry. High energy consumption in extraction and production of virgin aluminium makes it environmentally favorable to increase the use of recycled post-consumer wrought alloys. Such use of low-grade wrought alloy aluminium, however, introduces new actors to a previously known and familiar product system, and belonging new and unfamiliar social and ethical aspects. The objective of the article is to present a simplified method for social life cycle assessment (SLCA) for such products tailored for original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry. By using the method, an overview of social and ethical impacts from all life cycle stage will be provided, including an aggregated display for all life cycle stages together. The results can be used to compare different design alternatives and value chain actors, or to identify options for reducing potential negative impacts through manufacturing in global value chains through risk management. Comparative studies can be made for materials (various alloys, degrees of recycled alloys), production, or end of life alternatives for social responsible companies. Using a front lower control arm for personal vehicles as test case, the article will present the social impacts from different material alternatives over the product's life cycle, and how they can be managed. The proposed method may also be used in other settings to provide actionable insights.

An energy-saving opportunity in producing lubricating oil using mixed-solventin simulated Rotary Disc Contacting (RDC) extraction tower

Industrial processes are the most energy consuming processes in the world. Modification of these processes helps us with controlling the consumption of energy and minimizing energy loss. Changing raw materials is one of the ways through which we can optimize industrial processes. In this paper, a new solvent mixture (furfural + a co-solvent) was used for the extraction of lubricating base oil from lube-oil cut. It was found that the energy consumption of the new solvent mixture for obtaining a product with the same quality was much lower than the original solvent. By using this new solvent mixture, the operating temperature of the top of tower was reduced by 30 K. This leads to a high reduction in energy consumption in extraction of aromatics from lube oil. At our new extraction process by means of using new solvent mixture, the maximum energy saving was 38% per cubic meter of produced raffinate.