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Enzymatic Production of Biodiesel and Beyond
Quality validation date:2012-06-06
Abstract
Sunho Biodiesel Corporation has developed an Enzymatic Transesterification Process (ET Process®) that is patented and available for commercial production.
The ET Process reacts vegetable oils or animal fats with primary or secondary alcohol to produce alkyl esters. A wide variety of feedstocks and qualities are acceptable (e.g., high FFA content). It employs immobilized lipase as a biocatalyst in a packed bed reactor in an inert solvent environment. No wastewater or chemical waste is produced from the process. Inert solvent is completely recycled for reuse. Area of ester product application is broad and versatile. It includes biodiesel, biolubricants, biosolvents or fine chemicals, depending on the length and type of triglyceride, fatty acid and alcohol used.
In contrast, the equivalent conventional chemical processes involve the use of solid or liquid acids and bases. The common problems with these techniques are: (i) waste water, (ii) excessive amount of alcohol reactant, (iii) low quality glycerol byproduct, (iv) long reaction time, and (v) consistency of product quality. The ET Process overcomes these challenges and more.
The advantages of the ET Process® are:
1) Avoids lipase poisoning
2) Yield can be up to 100%
3) Consistent biodiesel quality that meets ASTM or EN standards
4) Short reaction time, typically less than 60 mins.
5) Long biocatalyst lifespan
6) Convenient because of the fully automatic system
7) Produces pure glycerol byproduct
8) Reduced capital and operating costs
Stage of development:Prototype/demonstrator available for testing
Stage description:The process has been applied in a mini-pilot unit. The engineering design has been developed up to a commercial/production stage. The production stage design is currently used to develop a partially built demonstration unit.
Property rights:Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted, Patent(s) granted, Trademark applications, Secret know-how
Collaboration sought:Joint venture agreement, Licence agreement, Manufacturing agreement, Venture capital/spin-off funding, Private-public partnership, Other
Collaboration Detail:Projects or cooperation to further marketing or commercial production/application of the technologies are welcome.
Market applications:Renewable energy, Biotechnology, Fine chemicals, Industrial chemicals, Transport fuels
Related Programme(s)/Projects
| Programme | Project reference | Project title |
Contact person
Organization:Sunho Biodiesel Corporation
Name:
Position:
Address:
10F-6, 380, Linsen N. Rd.
TAIPEI
TAIWAN
Region:
Tel:+886-2-25632720
Fax:+886-2-25431603
Email:Contact
URL:http://www.sunhobiodiesel.com/
Organization type:
Additional information
Subject index:Biotechnology, Industrial Manufacture, Life Sciences, Other Energy Topics, Materials Technology
Subject descriptors:Biochemistry, Chemicals, Chemical engineering, Natural materials, Fuel technology, Lubrication, Process engineering, Biotechnology
Subject class:Biology, Medicine, Materials, Industrial Manufacturing technologies, Energy
Remarks:RESULTS Entry Form
Record control number:44916
