New catalyst for algal biodiesel produces higher-grade fuels

In Germany, researchers at the Technical University of Munich have developed a new way to produce biodiesel from microalgae using a novel catalyst based on nickel on a porous support made of zeolite HBeta that produces saturated hydrocarbons suitable for use as high-grade fuels in vehicles.

That’s opposed to many algae-based biodiesels that has too high of an oxygen content and poor flow at low temperatures, or a sulphur-containing catalyst may contaminate the product.