10F -6, 380, Linsen N. Rd., Taipei, 104,
Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel: 886-2-25632720
Fax: 886-2-25431603
info@sunhobiodiesel.com

Biodiesel and the Lipid-Based Biorefinery

The world contains an abundance of resources that we do not yet know how to fully utilize. In discovering this, we encounter serious concerns about preserving and maintaining balance in nature. Biodiesel has been thought to be a part of the solution to finding alternative, sustainable sources of energy. However, problems persist for both the chemical and enzymatic approaches to the biodiesel process. Researchers continue to search for improvements or alternatives. The result is a natural expansion of viable materials that can be used. Lately, there is a resurgence of interest in processes based on sugar, lipid and protein. A convergence of these technologies, once each has been made sufficiently viable for mass usage, will herald the era of a Biorefinery Society. One that is based on lipids is termed the Lipid-Based Biorefinery Society.

In a conventional biodiesel plant, the highest expense is allocated to the feedstock or lipid. Improving feedstock utilization through technology can greatly alleviate cost problems. The conventional approach uses chemical catalysts. In order to perform the chemical process, feedstock should be pretreated to lessen free fatty acid and water, products should be washed to remove catalyst residue and reactions should be maintained at high temperature and/or pressure. Although the enzymatic approach is an attractive option, in the absence of the right technology, the process cannot be efficient enough because enzyme catalysts have a short lifespan and are costly.