Two microbial lipases from Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated as catalysts for the enzymatic transesterification of beef tallow with ethanol and the most efficient lipase source was selected by taking into account the properties of the product to be used as fuel. Both lipases were immobilized on an epoxy silica-polyvinyl alcohol composite by covalent immobilization ...

Cellulosic biomass from agricultural and forestry residues, waste paper and industrial wastes could be used as an ideal and inexpensive source of sugar for sustainable fermentation into transportation fuel. As such, ethanol-producing microorganisms, mainly Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are potential candidates for ethanol production. However, the substrates are not cost effecti...

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the detection of excessive diesel knock using acoustic emission (AE) signals. Three different dual-fuel diesel engine operating regimes were induced into a compression-ignition (diesel) engine operating on both straight diesel fuel and two different mixtures of fumigated ethanol and diesel. The experimentally induced engine operating regime...

Background The production of fuel ethanol has become important in recent years due not only to the future depletion of fossil fuels, but also environmental concerns. An attractive source of raw material for ethanol production is the lignocellulosic biomass, composed of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. In the case of Brazil, the sugarcane bagasse is an interesting source of cellulose and hem...

Ethanol could suddenly become the gasoline additive of choice in America. As policymakers debate the future path of U.S. energy policy, they face added concerns for public safety and America’s growing dependence on foreign oil. The outcome of these debates could spell the end for MTBE (methyl tert i a ry butyl ether) as a fuel additive—and have important implications for the future of the ethan...

The motivation for this research was to determine the influence of public policies on economic feasibility of producing algal biodiesel in a system that produced all its energy needs internally. To achieve this, a steady-state mass balance/unit operation system was modeled first. Open raceway technology was assumed for the production of algal feedstock, and the residual biomass after oil extrac...

Inclusion of bioethanol in the transportation fuel by displacing part of the petroleum-derived energy has become an emerging trend due to limited availability of fossil fuel and its potential association with global warming. With a suitable strain of microorganism, sugar from the agricultural waste could be fermented to produce bioethanol, which is a highly effi cient energy source generating m...

OF THESIS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CELLULASE PRODUCTION BY CLOSTRIDIUM THERMOCELLUM IN SOLID STATE AND SUBMERGED FERMENTATION Dependence on foreign oil remains a serious issue for the U.S. economy. Additionally, automobile emissions related to petroleum-based, fossil fuel has been cited as one source of environmental problems, such as global warming and reduced air quality. Using agricultural and f...

Life-cycle studies of the currently dominant transport biofuels (bioethanol made from starch or sugar and biodiesel made from vegetable oil) show that solar energy conversion efficiency is relatively poor if compared with solar cells and that such biofuels tend to do worse than conventional fossil transport fuels as to the emission of eutrophying and acidifying substances. Lifecycle studies of ...

Transportation assume no liability for the contents or use thereof. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California or the Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. DISCLOSURE The project was funded entirely under this contract by the California Department of Transportation. ACKNOWLED...