Biofuel from Algae: Catalytic Cracking

One of the most significant bottlenecks in the production of biodiesel from algae is the drying prior to reaction. This can require more energy than is given out when the biofuel is combusted, so not only is it a significant problem for the economics of the process, but also for one of its main raisons d’etre, the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide (as the energy is almost certainly largely from fossil fuels). 

Catalytic cracking can overcome this problem, as it is more water-tolerant than chemical conversion to biodiesel.

This project will be concerned with development of catalysts for this process and optimisation of the process conditions.

For more details, please contact Dr Jon Lee or Prof Adam Harvey.