Metal oxide catalyst for hemp biodiesel may increase efficiency of conversion
In Applied Energy, a recent report highlighting a magnetic, nanometer sized metal oxide catalyst particles that have the ability to convert hemp oil into biodiesel fuel, suggests that hemp biodiesel may have a bright future. The magnetic catalyst mentioned above is useful because it can easily be removed after the chemical reaction is complete via magnetism. Traditional catalysts for the reaction, which transforms triacylglycerides into esters, are simple bases such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Yet the literature reports using these simple bases describe a laborious procedure to remove the base at the end of the reaction. This difficulty reduces the efficiency, increases the cost, and could lead to problems on a larger production scale.
Category: Fuels
