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Murcia University research has developed which allows the production of biodiesel in a single step and continuously through a combination of enzymes (biocatalysts) and solvent "green" nonaqueous ionic liquids such as carbon dioxide and supercritical.
This application of enzyme technology in non-aqueous solvents turns green vegetable oils or animal fats into biodiesel, low-cost, green fuel is an alternative to petroleum products, with consequent environmental and economic benefits.
Researchers Pedro Lozano, Juana Maria Bernal and Michel Vaultier have made a steady and sustainable process of synthesis of biodiesel by enzymatic catalysis in ILs and scCO2 combined systems.
To this end, enzymes coated ILs are located within a steel column, and the oil, methanol and carbon dioxide are supplied by high pressure pumps, feeding the column continuously.
ScCO2 characteristics solubilizes both substrates in a single phase within the reactor and the biocatalytic action allows the complete transformation of vegetable oil into biodiesel.
Finally, the product is obtained in pure form at the output of the corresponding reactor after depressurization.
The University of Murcia has been working for ten years in the application of biocatalysts in processes of chemical philosophy, green chemistry to reduce the use and generation of hazardous substances and contaminants, with ILs and to develop procedures seCO2 industrial interest.
In this sense, the results of research have led to pioneer the application of enzymes to ILs/scCO2 biphasic systems, yielding dramatic results regarding stability and catalytic activity of such enzymes, and the direct and continuous collection of products Pure chiral.
Source: Universidad de Murcia
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